Columbia Police to Use Online Crime Mapping Tool

In an effort to inform citizens and improve public safety, the Columbia Police Department is using the computer-based crime mapping program called RAIDS (Regional Analysis and Data Information Sharing) Online, the department announced Friday. 

“RAIDS is an extra advantage for residents," Chief Randy Scott said in a release. "The Columbia Police Department has always been proactive with our communities. We want them to know about criminal activity where they live, work and raise a family."

"We strive daily to be a transparent department. The more informed residents are then the more willing they will be to help reduce crime with us.”

The Columbia Police Department join the list of many law enforcement agencies across the country in launching the tool that the public can use to search for crimes committed in their communities. 

The program analyzes crime data, alert citizens about crimes and serves as another way for law enforcement to alert the public of incidents reported.

Once an incident report is entered into the system, RAIDS Online automatically syncs with the department's records system to keep crime information updated, according to a release.

To use the tool, log on to the RAIDS website and click on South Carolina on the map and then click Columbia. Or, search for Columbia crimes in the "search address" section. 

A map of incidents reported to the department will be displayed. 

Viewers can see basic information about the incident including the type of crime, location type, block-level address, date and time.

You can also search by the type of crime. 

If reporting a crime, residents can can submit anonymous crime tips to the Columbia Police Department by emailing raidsonline@columbiasc.net.

The new program does not replace existing methods of reporting crimes such as emailing or calling CRIMESTOPPERS.

For more information about RAIDS Online, click here.