USING GEOGRAPHICAL INFOMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR POLICING IN SOUTH AFRICA: A CASE STUDY IN PAARL

ABSTRACT

This paper assesses the potential use of geographical information systems (GIS) for policing in South Africa. A database was developed and GIS used to analyse and map crime data for the town of Paarl from geographical and environmental-criminological perspectives. A base map for the GIS was constructed by adapting a digital land use map of the study area for the purpose of mapping crime. Crime statistics obtained from the South African Police Services were processed and digitised on overlays of the land use map. Maps that depict the temporal and spatial dimensions of crime in the study area were compiled and mapped with ARC/INFO GIS, making use of GIS techniques like overlaying and buffering. In the description and analysis of these maps the researcher succeeded in identifying and demarcating problem areas and illustrating the relationship between the mapped crime patterns and the morphological characteristics of the town. On the practical level the results show that police services can utilise GIS instead of the traditional colour pin maps, particularly if GIS could be integrated in a holistic way with other information systems in the police services. The results show that GIS is a useful, effective and necessary tool in combatting crime. The author concludes that the practical application of geography, aided by GIS, is indispensable for policing in South Africa.