CleryDart: Online Daily Crime Log

Introduction

The Crime Log

The campus daily crime log, as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, provides information about all crimes reported on university property.

It must be updated within 48 hours of the reporting of the incident, providing information that is more timely and detailed than the statistics required in the annual Clery Act Report.

Crime Log Details

Some of the details required in the daily crime log include:

the nature of the crime
the location of the crime
the time and date the crime was reported
the time and date the crime occurred
the status of the investigation

General Facts

Location

Students and the public can see the daily crime log in person by request at the Department of Safety & Security's office on 5 Rope Ferry Road.
It is available Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8AM-4PM).

Format

The crime log exists as a hard copy compiled manually by adding printed spreadsheets to a three-ring binder.

Data Collection

The Department of Safety & Security at Dartmouth College does not allow pictures of the spreadsheet to be taken, and does not provide electronic copies. Currently the only way to collect data from the crime log is by writing it down.

Challenges

Many current students do not know that the daily crime log exists, as there is no mention of the daily crime log in the Department of Safety and Security's website or its webpage dedicated to the Clery Act, and no information about the crime log their physical office. There is no mention of the daily crime log in orientation materials for new students and their families.

Other interested parties, such as prospective students, faculty, staff, and the local community are similarly uninformed about the existence of the daily crime log.

The crime log is only available for inspection on request.

Added together, these conditions make the daily crime log inaccessible to students and to the general public.

Solution

CleryDart.info

To provide an online map-based visualization of the location and nature of Dartmouth College campus crimes.
To improve campus safety at Dartmouth College.
To educate all members of the Dartmouth community about common campus crimes.

What does the Clery Act say about an online crime log?

The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting

"Format: Your log may be either hard copy or electronic. If your institution has an electronic log and there are technical problems that make it unusable, use a hard copy log as a temporary replacement until the problems are resolved."
"Publicize Availability: Let students and employees know that the log is available, what it contains and where it is. You may post a notice on your website, in your security office, in your student and employee handbooks or anywhere else it's likely to be seen."
"Accessibility: The crime log for the most recent 60- day period must be open to public inspection, upon request, during normal business hours. You cannot require a written request. Anyone may have access to the log, whether or not they are associated with your institution. This includes the media. Make any portion of the log that is older than 60 days available within two business days of a request for public inspection."

CleryDart: Mapping Campus Crime

CleryDart: Mapping Campus Crime

Crimes Reported at Dartmouth College from May 10, 2014-August 26, 2014

The Basics