Owning the Police: Crime Data, Copyright, and Public Information

Authors

A. Jay Wagner, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2023

Publisher

University of Florida Press

Source Publication

Journal of Civic Information

Source ISSN

2641-970X

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.32473/joci.5.3.134941

Abstract

Online crime maps, which plot law enforcement crime data, promise to promote civic engagement and increase government transparency. This study reviewed the websites of the 250 largest U.S. cities and found 65% host or link to a crime map, and that 116 police departments entered into agreements with crime mapping companies that provide the companies preferred or exclusive access to local crime data, curtailing public access and use. This study examines the legal tactics used by commercial mapping companies to maintain information control, explores recent examples of legal battles over the data, and proposes solutions, including targeted public record law amendments, parallel access, and a generalized right of access.

Comments

Published version. Journal of Civic Information, Vol. 5, No. 3 (November 2023): 1-16. DOI. © 2023 University of Florida Press. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Wagner, A. Jay, "Owning the Police: Crime Data, Copyright, and Public Information" (2023). College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications. 625.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/comm_fac/625