Public Safety describes the measures taken to preserve the security and well-being of a community.
This can take the form of policing, firefighting, emergency medical services, or disaster relief.
Essentially, public safety encompasses all those responses to urgent social needs in order to preserve health and safety.
Modern public safety has been largely shaped by the technology that we currently rely on. For example, the proliferation of GPS technology led to a greater police presence and better crime prevention in certain areas.
This increased efficiency has only increased since then with the emergence of Big Data and data analytics. Big Data refers to data that is so large or complex that it’s challenging to process using traditional tools or techniques. A great example of a type of Big Data is copious amounts of geospatial data, for example, records pertaining to crimes in a city.
Data analytics is the process of converting this kind of Big Data into useful information that can be shared among cities, officers, and citizens alike.
What Is Data Analytics?
Data analytics is an umbrella term that describes a broad set of analytic approaches that draw on different methodologies (e.g., statistics, data mining, machine learning) as well as computer hardware/software systems (e.g., relational databases).
The professionals working in data analytics are known as data analysts. They use a multifaceted approach to solve problems, collect and analyze data, create reports and communicate their findings and usually have specific qualifications such as a gis diploma in public safety and data analytics.
Data Analytics in Public Safety
Like any other role, data analytics requires certain skill sets.
In order to work with any kind of Big Data, knowledge of Python is very useful.
Python is an open-source programming language whose popularity has increased dramatically over the last few years. It’s a great language for digesting and analyzing huge amounts of data because it’s easy to learn and has a multitude of uses in various fields, including Mathematics, Computer Science, and Public Safety.
Data Analytics Allows for Better Decision-Making
Due to the importance placed on data analytics, many colleges and universities are now offering courses in this field.
It’s important for government leaders to understand how much data analytics can benefit public safety in order to make more informed decisions.
Data Analytics Is a Solid Investment
Public Safety organizations can develop and use their own software according to their own specific needs as opposed to purchasing third-party software, which can be expensive.
With the right data analytics software, they can collect and analyze data to obtain a greater understanding of their city’s needs and make more informed decisions.
In an era when public safety is constantly trying to improve its response time, data analytics can be a valuable investment.
The information revolution has transformed public safety for the better and many more improvements are expected over the next few years as this field continues to grow.
The Importance of Data Analytics in Making Cities Safer
While all cities are going through an information revolution, some are leading the way.
Many cities have found specialized use cases for data analytics, and they are saving more money and responding more quickly than ever before.
They’ve also been able to develop better plans based on their available information. These data-driven strategies have led to a lot of positive outcomes and continued success.
Data analytics has the potential to revolutionize public safety and increase efficiency across all departments. It’s definitely worth considering as a way to improve efficiency, outcome, and transparency in public safety.
The Advantages of an AI-Powered Police Force
When it comes to policing, data analytics can be used in conjunction with AI technology to provide a more comprehensive and efficient public safety response.
For example, there are times when police need to act on a tip they received; data analytics can help them identify trends in crimes and predict future criminal activity in the area.
This makes it easier for police to deploy their resources at the scene of a crime as soon as possible. Using AI-powered predictive policing technology allows them to identify certain locations that are at a higher risk of being targeted by criminals based on past activity; this improves response time significantly.
By deploying their resources efficiently, police can ensure that they use their time and resources most effectively by targeting high-risk areas with a greater number of officers.
Making the Most Out of the Data with Real-Time Information
The police are no longer limited to a command room or the crime scene when they collect data.
Data analytics has made it possible for them to access real-time information from their patrol cars, computers, and mobile devices.
This real-time information can be used for predictive analytics and live monitoring of potential problems.
For example, police can access real-time information about nearby criminal activity before heading off to a call. This way, they ensure that they’re going into an area where response time is crucial.
AI-Powered Data Analytics Improves Response Times and Effectiveness
This real-time information can also be used to help police anticipate problems before they happen. AI software allows them to monitor crimes, traffic patterns, and security threats in real-time.
Police are able to respond more quickly to crime scenes with this information. As a result, their response times are shorter and more efficient.
They’re also able to make more informed decisions about their future needs by analyzing the data they collect daily. This includes when officers should be deployed on patrol, how much time they spend on training/recertification, and where crime is occurring within the city.
Summary
Data analytics is a huge investment, but when it comes to public safety, it’s worth the cost.
When you take into account all of the money saved from quicker response times and more efficient strategies, data analytics can be considered a wise investment. This is especially true for cities that are experiencing a growing crime rate.
The best way to ensure that your city is taking full advantage of the opportunities that data analytics offers is to invest in professionals who can make the most out of the data and make recommendations.
