Baltimore-based website SpotCrime has become the web's most visited online crime mapping site, with over 300,000 subscribers. The company estimates that over 6 million people interact with SpotCrime every month, including media partners and other websites.
The SpotCrime site aggregates nationwide crime data, and allows users to search by zip code to view a map with icons for crimes in that area. The site tracks local crimes from vandalism to shootings, and displays icons and addresses of the locations of crimes reported in that area. Data can be generated for most US areas. The data displayed is pulled from police reports and verified news sources.
Subscribers to SpotCrime can sign up to receive SMS text alerts when a crime is added in their area, or download the app for iPhone to receive and share crime information. SpotCrime also maintains a blog explaining crime data trends and updating subscribers on current mapping projects.
The website has partnered with real estate site Trulia to report crime data to potential home buyers in 50 metropolitan areas nationwide. SpotCrime is also available to Direct TV users. It is the second most popular app available through that service.
The company estimates that continued growth at this pace will enable them to break the 500,000 subscriber mark by mid 2012.
Writer: Amy McNeal
Source: http://spotcrime.blogspot.com/, http://www.spotcrime.com