The Maryland Crime Research and Innovation Center (MCRIC) has partnered with the Salisbury Police Department on a predictive analytics project involving machine learning and data analysis to help support crime reduction efforts. The main objective of the project, which was supported by an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, is to increase the availability of data-driven predictive analytics that offer the local police department an additional set of tools that can supplement and enhance existing proactive strategies. In order to achieve this objective, this project will develop and test predictive models and incorporate stakeholder feedback to refine analysis and prepare for implementation and deployment.

 

The project, made possible by a partnership between researchers in Criminology and Engineering, includes data collection and curation, research and analysis, presentation, and reports/policy briefs/other dissemination activities.  Building on Salisbury’s previous project and its recommendations, MCRIC is exploring new machine learning techniques as well as new data sources to improve the value of predictive information for city and local law enforcement.

 

After rigorous testing and evaluation, the machine learning-based predictive models will be presented by the MCRIC team to the Salisbury stakeholders for feedback. The models will be revised to reflect the feedback received before they are finalized and the final report is prepared for model development.