Page 10 - Case study: Crime prediction for more agile policing in cities – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Meanwhile, Via Science created the mathematical engine behind the app by developing algorithms
using their advanced machine learning and proprietary software architecture. The Igarapé Institute
worked with Via Science to test the results.

Finally, Mosaico, a local software firm, helped design the mobile app interface for the Via Science
algorithms and build out an immersive user experience. Mosaico and Igarapé Institute also designed
the historical data platform.

Figure 2: Illustrations of the CrimeRadar Mobile App

Why CrimeRadar?: CrimeRadar is an example of a digital platform to improve personal safety and
security. The goal is to improve transparency and access to information for citizens and visitors.
CrimeRadar makes crime data accessible, interactive and useful.

Until recently, basic crime data in Rio de Janeiro was inaccessible to the wider public. Those
data were often poorly collected and registered. However, there has been a major shift in data
management. The newly launched ISPGeo, developed in cooperation with ISP, the Igarapé Institute
and several city partners, provided crime data to the wider public in a safer and more accessible
manner.

CrimeRadar Difference: Other applications that predict crime activity tend to be restricted to
police departments and not made available to the public. It is often restricted to a small number of
users and the underlying methods are not transparent. By contrast, CrimeRadar is a step towards
empowering the wider public to get involved in crime prevention. It is part of a wider movement to
make data more open and accessible.

4 Crime prediction for more agile policing in cities – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil