CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Clarksville Police Department’s use of computer data determines where and how they respond to crimes.
“We don’t just put people randomly in locations; we assign them to the district based on crime trends,” Captain Scott Thornton said.
The data is reviewed in a weekly briefing known as Comp Stat (which stands for COMParative STATistics).
“Our crime map shows where reported crimes are occurring and allows us to conduct a rapid response in those areas,” Thornton said.
The Clarksville Police Department Command Staff gathers every Friday at 7 a.m. to review crimes in each district and detail how they are working to solve cases and reduce future incidents.
Comp Stat, developed in New York City in the 90s and used in most large police departments, is credited with reducing crime by as much as 15 percent. In Clarksville, the program has been in place since 1999.
For residents interested in learning how police fight crime, those meetings are open to anyone. “We welcome members of the public to attend because transparency is the best way to conduct business and maintain a good relationship with the people we serve,” Thornton said.
At a recent meeting, the map showed a big spike in vehicle burglaries and Capt. David Crockarell said a single suspect is likely responsible for nearly all of them.
Thornton said the majority of the burglaries occurred in unlocked vehicles and characterized the incidents as ‘victim-driven crimes,’ expressing frustration that residents are not more proactive in protecting their property by simply locking doors.
“I’m surprised we don’t have more of these cases based on how they are occurring,” he reported.
It’s a difficult enforcement issue for police because a criminal who casually tries door handles doesn’t draw attention the way an actual break-in does.
Inside a vehicle, a burglar doesn’t look any different from an owner and gives a passing patrol officer no reason to stop and investigate.
In recent incidents, thieves made off with purses, credit and debit cards, and a $3,000 drone which was in a locked vehicle, but in plain view.
A potentially bigger problem is identify theft.
Residents interested in attending the Comp Stat meeting can contact District Three Commander Captain Michael Scott Thornton – mthornton@clarksvillepd.org
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