Development of a Web-based Spatial Crime Surveillance Information System
Keywords:
GIS, Information technology, Mapping, Spatial analysis, Unified modelling languageAbstract
The computer system has fast become the machine on which almost everyone depends to carry out useful database operations, as well as the storage, retrieval, processing and dissemination of information. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-based tool that enables the storage, mapping and analysis of spatial data. It uses the statistical analysis offered by maps in its query abilities. Therefore, considering the type of data required for crime surveillance (that is spatial as well as non-spatial in nature); this paper proposes a web-based GIS crime surveillance system. The overall system design is presented using the class diagram of the UML design tool. HTML was used to design and implement the user interface of the system; MySQL was used to implement the back-end of the system; the coding and scripting need was met using Java; and PHP was used to introduce dynamism into the system and handle user’s request. Significantly, the system’s implementation was successful; since the maps created allowed law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to monitor crime occurrences at real-time. As a result, for prompt decision making, resource allocation for combating crime the system would support its users; and aid the trend of crime to be easily known.
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