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The Decline of Police Data Transparency: A Case Study of Colonial Heights, Virginia

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Abstract This paper examines the recent cessation of public crime data reporting by the Colonial Heights Police Department (CHPD) in Virginia, using it as a case study to explore broader trends in law enforcement transparency. The analysis reveals how technological advancement paradoxically correlates with decreased public access to crime data, despite improved data management capabilities revealing broader implications for law enforcement agencies across the United States, where increasing reliance on technology often leads to unintended reductions in transparency. Introduction In April 2024, the Colonial Heights Police Department, serving a population of approximately 18,000 residents, discontinued its 14-year practice of publishing monthly crime blotter reports. This decision represents a concerning trend in law enforcement transparency that warrants examination, particularly given the concurrent technological improvements in data management systems. Background and Context Historica...
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SpotCrime Weekly Reads: AI, body cam, crime rate

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US police chiefs discuss AI, use of force, open source intelligence, AI offers data-driven approach to police reform, fewer crimes and higher clearance rates, AI to help victims of domestic violence, encrypting police scanners, Louisville consent decree transparency, prison experiences, and more... POLICE CONDUCT Ex-Kansas detective dies by suicide as long-awaited criminal civil rights trial set to begin, sources say  (CNN) U.S. Police Chiefs Discuss Artificial Intelligence  (GovTech) Aurora Police says reports by officers of using force went up in 2023, even as lethal use dropped  (CPR News) New intelligence software used during the Republican National Convention - A look at Babel Street, Milwaukee PD’s Open Source Intel tool  (Wisconsin Examiner) Phoenix Police Crime Lab Significantly Reduces Backlog of Sexual Assault Kits  (Phoenix.gov) CRIME RATE Fewer Crimes Usually Means Higher Clearance Rates  (Jeff-alytics) Boulder considers North Boulder police sub...
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SpotCrime Weekly Reads: Community review boards, police staffing, gun violence

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Community review boards, police staffing, preventing crime, shoplifting, gun violence, domestic abuse, sexual assault investigations, crime rates, AI in criminal justice, license plate readers, FOIA, police transparency, death in custody data, and more... POLICE CONDUCT Community Review Board Approves Long-Sought Agreement With Nashville Police  (Nashville Banner) see also:  New Austin police oversight group selected at random through lottery  (KVUE) and also:  Detroit police oversight board launches dashboard tracking complaints against officers  (Detroit Free Press) Law Enforcement Suicides Online platform provides current data on suicides, aims to reduce stigma  (FBI) Technology Helps Fill Gaps Amid Public Safety Staffing Shortages  (GovTech) see also:  Pryor Creek Police Chief discusses how department is managing while down 5 patrol officers  (Fox 23) City of Memphis allocates $1 million into community-based organizations to help prevent ...
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SpotCrime Weekly Reads: Gun violence, 911 calls, transparency

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Joint crime office, traffic stops, police job vacancies, police commission meetings, gun violence data hub, sextortion on the rise, sexual assault, 2020 homicide spike, drones used to respond to police calls, location boost to 911 calls, accessing police records, yoga in prison, recidivism, and more... POLICE CONDUCT Memphis, Shelby County to launch joint crime office to address violence  (Local Memphis) National groups say Fayetteville is stopping more Black drivers than it was a decade ago  (Fayetteville Observer) Oceanside gets new police chief after retirement announcement  (OSide News) Records Show Vacancies Across City of Durham Departments; Police and emergency communications departments show high vacancies  (Indy Week) Watchdog group launches social media campaign publicizing details on Maui police commission meeting  (Hawaii News Now) CRIME RATE Nearly $1M on the way to fight crime in Stockton  (ABC10) The Trace Launches Gun Violence Data Hub ...
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SpotCrime Weekly Reads: Police conduct, crime rate, transparency

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Accountability and transparency, DOJ recommendations for protests, police efficiency, police conduct, US crime and policing trends, random acts of violence, crime ballot measures, access to police press briefings, Boston police accountability, thwarting transparency, criminal courts a black box, and more... POLICE CONDUCT Kissimmee Announces Plans for New Accountability and Transparency Measures Following Grand Jury Findings on Police Misconduct  (Positively Osceola) New DOJ recommendations for police and press bridge protest divide  (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press) Report finds lack of police efficiency leading to fewer arrests in CA  (ABC 7) Not believed: Charged with filing false report, Polk teen captured own evidence during rape  (The Ledger) Ohio Sheriff’s Lieutenant in hot water after social posts; “I am sorry. If you support the Democratic Party, I will not help you”  (WTRF) 13 Lewisville officers disciplined after 'inappropriate contact' d...
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SpotCrime Weekly Reads: Crime stats, FBI stats, AI

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Hate crime task force launched, Sheriffs' elections, police misconduct records, police oversight committee, FBI crime stats, crime rate, perception of crime, border security, progressive prosecution policies, police drones, AI to detect weapons, AI and facial recognition, AI to detect fraud, gunshot detection, juvenile detention center, and more... POLICE CONDUCT Central Florida Hate Crime Task Force launches after $1M grant from Justice Department  (WFTV) Austin Police contract is signed with 90% approval from the police union and city council  (CBS Austin) Valdosta State University Police Chief resigns following third-party investigation  (WTXL) Why Sheriffs’ Elections Matter From immigration enforcement to abortion access, sheriffs wield a surprising amount of power in their jurisdictions.  (The Marshall Project) Pittsburgh’s police chief puts down his badge for a referee’s whistle  (Associated Press) Can Police Departments Be Trusted to Release Their Own Mis...
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SpotCrime Weekly Reads: Crime rate, transparency, surveillance

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Dropping crime rates, protecting murder victims, asset forfeiture, violent victimization decreasing, reducing gun violence, cameras are unbiased, federal lawsuit challenges use of cameras for surveillance, potential of public data for social impact, Boston broken transparency website, Austin police contract, Tennessee prisons, and more... POLICE CONDUCT Mahaska County to charge towns more for police services  (The Oskaloosa Herald) Former Indiana sheriff gets 12 years for spending funds on travel and gifts  (Associated Press) City: Police had no constitutional duty to protect murder victim  (Iowa Capital Dispatch) How you can provide input on Fresno's next police chief  (ABC30) Police officer helped steal thousands in Crime Stoppers rewards  (Fox4KC) The Topline: Asset forfeiture falls following reform  (Minnesota Reformer) CRIME RATE Inside the Carjacking Crisis On the street with an elite police unit as it combats a crime wave  (The Atlantic) Violent...
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