https://data.lacity.org/A-Safe-City/Crime-Data-from-2010-to-Present/y8tr-7khq/data#column-menu
I explored LA City’s Crime Data from 2010 to Present; a quite overwhelming and startling dataset. The ontology of the dataset is organized by several categories related to the incidents of reported crime.
First, DR Numbers are listed, which are the official file numbers of the cases. Then, the exact date that the crime was reported, date it occurred, and time it occurred. The Area ID and Area Name indicate which of the 21 LAPD departmental zones handled the case. This is accompanied by the Reporting District, which indicates the geographical area where the crime occurred.
Further listed, the Crime Code and Crime Code Description note what kind of crime it was; such as Vandalism, Battery, Pickpocket, Stalking, etc. In addition, MO Codes are listed; Modus Operandi, activities associated with the suspect in commission of the crime.
There is demographic data; Victim Age, Sex, and Descent. Also, a Premise Code and Premise description; such as Street, Parking Lot, Apartment, etc. Nearing the end, a Weapon Used Code and Weapon Description; Verbal Threat, Firearm, etc.
Status Code, Status Description, Crime Codes (1, 2, 3, and 4), Address (rounded to the nearest block in which the crime happened), Cross Street, and Location (Long., Lat.) are the last categories listed.
This ontology comes from the point of view of law enforcement officials and government officials; which is because it contains all the necessary codes and information needed for case management. This dataset would also be useful for statisticians who are interested in crime statistics for LA County.
This dataset can inform us of the several crime trends in LA City. This could be the most common crimes, the frequency of these crimes, and who are the most common victims of these crimes. It could tell us which neighborhoods are most inflicted with crime and what kind of crime is most frequent in this area. The data can also communicate the ups and downs of crime frequency; has crime risen in recent years or declined? Speaking further of the victims of crime, which age group and/or ethnicities are most victimized by crime? Even, is there a time when crime most occurs?
What is left out of this dataset is perpetrator data; such as the age, sex, and descent of the person who perpetrated the crime. Further, do these perpetrators have a criminal record; first, second, third-time offenders, etc. Also, financial demographics of the victims and criminals are missing.
This data could be reorganized from the point of view of ethnic studies; indicating the area in which the crime by also denoting of it’s in a neighborhood characterized by a certain group. In addition, noting the financial demographics of this area.
I like your comment about adding more information about the perpetrator (age, sex, etc.), because it provides more insight about trends of perpetrators in Los Angeles. Your description of the data (in addition to personal comments about it) incited me to check out the data for myself, and you’re right–it’s overwhelming to see how many crimes have been committed in the last week alone!
Hi!
I agree that this is an interesting dataset because it can help with inform us the frequency of crime and general crime trends in the city. Great job in including information that you would like to see that may be more useful, such as perpetrator data and financial demographics. I would also like to see this data reorganized from an ethnic studies point of view, and I think that would offer lots of insight about different groups in different neighborhoods.