The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) today launched a web site that will promote accountability and transparency by allowing users to analyze detailed crime and arrest data from across the Commonwealth.
The grant-funded Massachusetts Crime Statistics site, located at www.mass.gov/crime-statistics, fulfills a requirement under the criminal justice reform bill signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker, providing options to view annual crime data statewide or by municipality; theme-based reports on hate crimes and other topics; and detailed quarterly arrestee information by city or town. EOPSS has pre-populated the site with data from Massachusetts law enforcement agencies that use the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which collectively provide policing services to more than 95 percent of the Commonwealth’s cities, towns, schools, and hospitals.
Additional data will become available as more agencies and municipal police departments throughout the Commonwealth adopt the NIBRS system and submit regular reports. Massachusetts State Police are currently in the process of transitioning to NIBRS reporting, and in the interim are making their data available to the public through an external link on the crime statistics landing page. State Police expect to be fully NIBRS-compatible in December, at which time their data will be directly accessible through the EOPSS site.
“This site leverages information technology to promote transparency and accountability,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Thomas Turco. “It will serve as a valuable tool for researchers, municipal leaders, and residents alike.”
The site was funded through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice.
