The crime report is a summary of information related to crimes that are reported to law enforcement agencies. It includes details about the nature and cause of the crime, as well as the location and number of victims. It also provides the identity of suspects and other details relevant to a criminal investigation. The purpose of the crime report is to inform the public about what is happening in their communities. The crime report should be accurate and objective, free of personal opinions and biases.
Law enforcement agencies have been working hard to improve the timeliness of reporting. The goal is to submit crime reports within 30 days of the end of the reporting period. Timely reporting is required for law enforcement agencies to be eligible to receive anti-crime grant funding administered by DCJS. It is also a requirement for publishing crime analyses on eJusticeNY.
Most agencies use the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system to collect and report crime statistics. UCR is currently transitioning to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which allows agencies to provide more detailed information on individual crimes and crime incidents than was previously available through summary data. NIBRS is expected to improve the quality of crime data, allow for more flexibility in the way offenses are measured and reported, and make it easier for police to track their progress in reducing crimes.
It is important for journalists to have good contacts with the police and other relevant agencies, so that they can get timely information about big stories without having to chase it. It is equally important to be able to deal sensitively with people who have been victimized by crime. It is important to keep in mind that they are often under a great deal of stress, and that reporters should be careful not to add to their distress by dealing with them carelessly or unprofessionally.
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