Frequently Asked Questions

Why would one want to do crime maps of Portland?

Crime maps give information that can be used strategically for improving and transforming the community. Some of the primary objectives of this include

Education, helping you see the "sociological map" of the city.
Giving vision for the need and type of changes needed.
Providing information for mapping directions for change.
Building unity at the community and city level as we work together.

We are particularly interested in working with churches to help them see the vision for their area and how they can most effectively bring about change.

Aren't you afraid these maps will keep people from moving to specific neighborhoods?

Some people choose to move to a high crime area. They see this as an area of need, and wish to be involved in bringing about a change. Portland's own former Police Chief Charles Moore, when here, moved into the high-crime inner city and worked actively to bring changes there (see Readers Digest, January, 1996, p 32)

How accurate is the data?

The data we used is published to the public by the Portland Police Bureau. It is subject to revision and updating. We make no statement as to its accuracy. It is best used in comparisons between neighborhoods, relationship of variables, and for trend analysis rather than specific objective statistics.

What conclusions have you seen?

See our paper How Do We Use All This Stuff?