Mapping crime trends with transparency, context, and community input.
True Crime Stats is a data journalism project. I collect public safety records, run exploratory analyses, and publish insights with clear caveats so stakeholders can ask better questions—not a finished SaaS product.
Data Exploration
Status
3
Cities Reviewed
Violent crime
Focus
Figures reflect current research scope. Sources and caveats accompany every publication.
Exploratory snapshot
Incident heatmap concept
This mockup demonstrates how I experiment with identifying clusters. It uses anonymized, sample records—not live feeds.
Visuals are exploratory drafts used to test storytelling formats.
Data collaborators & sources
Entities listed show the types of collaborators informing the research. Inclusion does not imply sponsorship or endorsement.
Why this work matters
Turning raw records into public-interest insights.
The goal is to help communities and local leaders understand context without sensationalism. Each deliverable is reviewed with subject-matter experts whenever possible.
Weekly Trend Digests
I summarize emerging patterns across neighborhoods—what appears to be rising, slowing, or shifting.
Incident Mapping Experiments
Heatmaps, anomaly detection sketches, and geographic comparisons help surface where attention might be needed.
Narrative Briefings
Short-form writeups translate the raw numbers into stories that residents, journalists, and officials can act on.
Data Quality Notes
I document gaps, inconsistencies, and reporting delays so readers understand the limits of what’s shown.
Community Questions
I gather feedback from neighbors and local organizations to focus analyses on the concerns that matter most.
Responsible Context
Every visualization includes caveats that highlight uncertainty and avoid sensationalizing individual incidents.
Methodology
A transparent, iterative research loop.
Collect & Clean
Pull public datasets, request records, and note any missing fields or reporting cadence issues.
Analyze & Iterate
Explore trends, spatial clustering, and correlations while validating findings with domain experts.
Publish & Discuss
Share exploratory dashboards, articles, and briefs; invite community feedback to sharpen the next round of analysis.
Each cycle includes a published changelog so readers can trace methodology updates.
Roadmap experiments
What I'm building next with community input.
These projects are in various stages of research. Timelines may shift as new data sources become available or collaborators join.
Live Map Prototype
In progress- Daily incident updates for pilot cities
- Overlay comparison by neighborhood
- Narrative annotations for notable shifts
Reporter Brief Kit
Researching- Quick-look fact cards
- Source citations for every stat
- Automated export to newsletter drafts
Community Workshop
Planning- Co-create visualizations with residents
- Document safety concerns and context
- Share findings with local partners
Interested in collaborating on one of these experiments? Reach out via the contact section below.
Community voices
What early reviewers say about the approach.
“These breakdowns help our team cross-check what we’re seeing on the ground without overpromising certainty.”
Lt. Amina Brooks
Municipal analyst*
“It’s refreshing to see crime data framed with nuance, caveats, and calls to action instead of fear.”
Jordan Price
Neighborhood organizer*
“The methodology notes are as valuable as the charts—no one else is this transparent about the limitations.”
Riley Chen
Reporter in residence*
*Quotes are anonymized composites from interviews and do not represent formal endorsements.
FAQ
Questions about the research project.
What exactly is True Crime Stats right now?
It’s an independent research project documenting crime trends using public records, open data portals, and community-sourced context. There is no commercial product or subscription.
Where does the data come from?
I compile city open data feeds, FOIA responses, and curated manual logs. Each dataset is cited in upcoming briefs, and any gaps or inconsistencies are called out.
Can I request a custom analysis?
Yes. I’m especially interested in collaborating with journalists, civic groups, and residents who can supply additional context or questions.
Will this become software later?
Possibly. I’m exploring whether the workflows justify a shared platform. For now, it’s a data storytelling and investigation initiative.
Let's work together
Have data, stories, or questions to explore?
I’m looking for partners who can provide datasets, on-the-ground context, or subject-matter expertise. Reach out to shape the next round of analyses and publications.
Conversations focus on research collaboration—no sales pitch, because there isn’t a product yet.