Pensacola Police map crime via Internet

PENSACOLA, Florida (WALA) - The Pensacola Police Department is in the business of tracking crime and they want you to be able to do that, too. The department has set up an interactive online map that could alert you to dangerous trends in your neighborhood.

A robbery can happen down the street, but no one knows about it until its on the news. Now, Pensacola residents can keep track of crime on a daily basis. The police department now has a crime map on its website, pinpointing what crimes are committed and where they happen.

"I think it will be a great tool for neighborhood groups. Many of them are concerned with crime, as really we all are. It will keep track of things and so they won't be last to know." said Helen Gibson, neighborhood coordinator.

Gibson thinks the tracking tool will cut down on crime in the long run.

"You want to feel safe in your area and if there's something that's threatening that, you want to be aware of it and keep on top of it," said Gibson.

The map shows crime happening in areas you wouldn't always expect. Four crimes in the past week have happened just blocks away from the intersection of Palafox and Main Streets. Those crimes range from battery to grand theft.

Margarita Burbell said she'll be checking the new map, because she walks her two-year-old son in that area.

"Just to know what's going on. A useful tool for parents or whoever wants to know and have it at your fingertips," said Burbell.

While most people agree the service is a good thing for residents, Rodney Jones isn't so sure. He runs a community center.

"What good is it going to do for people that live in that place where crime is happening? We know crime is happening there every day. Just to have a map for an outsider to see, that gives them incentive to stay away, but for us who live in that community it does us no good," he said.

Police hope by having residents aware of problems, they'll look out for them and report anything suspicious.

The crime map is available here .