Community Policing & Public Information

Keeping the public informed during disaster situations is important for saving lives and coordinating an effective, efficient response. In a time of crisis, public information officers need to ensure the public is continuously informed with the best possible information. The public needs to know about

• Areas impacted by the disaster
• Incident escalation and future potential
• Situation status
• Evacuation routes
• Shelter locations
• Food and water locations

GIS provides the ability to effectively communicate information to the public through what most people can understand - a map. GIS enables public information officers to generate a map of a disaster that can contain a comprehensive view of an incident. The map can then be given to the media, published on a Web site, posted at community centers, or distributed to neighborhoods that are either impacted or threatened.

In addition, GIS provides an effective means to educate citizens. Police and fire departments can use GIS during community meetings to illustrate community "quality of life" values. Information on crimes (vandalism and graffiti) and risk areas (natural fire and flood zones) can be provided in the context of a map. Providing the public with information assists authorities in prevention programs, resulting in a safer community.

Internet access and robust Web applications using ArcGIS Server provide a mechanism for citizens to search geographically to learn about risks, threats, and crime patterns/trends. They also strengthen the cooperation between citizens and public safety officials.