Explanation of CompStat

In previous posts, we've mentioned our use of CompStat. We thought it would be a good idea to explain to our readers exactly what CompStat is, and why it is a significant part of our work.

The AmeriCorps Urban Safety Project is a part of the Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies’ Urban Safety Initiative. This initiative uses crime data provided by Wayne State University and Detroit Police Departments to highlight crime trends in the area. This information is used as part of the COMPSTAT (computer statistic) process by which the police use data to locate crime hotspots. Interventions are then employed in those hotspot areas that include follow ups on the efforts to ensure policing effectiveness.

Along with input from community residents and the police, the AMUS Project uses the Urban Safety Initiative crime data to target crime prevention strategies within neighborhoods and to track the progress of those efforts. Additionally, crime and safety concerns voiced by residents are passed along by AMUS members to the police (with the permission of the residents) in order to assist the police in their work. Together, we are helping each other make our neighborhoods safer.

We will periodically post crime heat maps like the one below.