Rogers County Crime Fighting Goes High Tech With Mapping Software

The Rogers County Sheriff's office recently received grant money from the Oklahoma Attorney General's office to use for crime mapping software.

The sheriff's office says rapes, robberies, assaults and arsons are on the rise, and this will let them better keep track of trends and where to increase patrols.

Technology is no longer an option for law enforcement, it's a must have to better fight crime but many smaller departments, with their budgets, simply can't afford it.

Thieves broke into Dave Kiger and his wife's home in rural Rogers County last week. It happened between 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on a Wednesday. The thieves stole TVs, DVDs and jewelry.

"She had two jewelry cases there, and they stole them - took both of them," Kiger said.

She had about 200 pieces that she's collected over a period of years, but thieves took a lot of it.

The Kigers aren't alone; there have been five other similar burglaries recently, in different parts of the county.

"This is what we've currently been using," said Undersheriff Jon Sappington, Rogers County Sheriff's County.

Using push pins on a map is the best way the sheriff's office can visually keep track of ongoing crime trends up til now. They input the information into a computer, but pulling it out isn't always easy, and it's in report form.

The new crime mapping software will make it much easier and more visual so they can better keep track of the crimes and know where deputies need to focus their patrols. They say this wouldn't be possible without the grant money from the Attorney General.

"To other agencies, it's quite common," Sappington said. "It's a $15,000 expense for us. That's 15 patrol rifles or half a car. It's huge for a small department such as us."

Not just deputies will be able to use this technology but citizens too. They will be able log onto a web site and see where the crimes are occurring, so they too, can better protect themselves.