Articles
Launches, partner stories, and method notes
What changed, where, and when. Every article is dated, and a rule change links to the methodology page it changed.
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7 articles
About Civic Informer
We help public safety providers put their data to work and give residents a clearer understanding of safety in their community.
Civic Informer launches in North Myrtle Beach
We've partnered with North Myrtle Beach Police Department to bring daily reports and an interactive map to the community, with hundreds subscribing in our first days.
Introducing Civic Informer in Monmouth, Oregon
Our partnership with Monmouth Police Department brings weekly activity reports and department-written updates together in a free Monday briefing.
Civic Informer is now in Arlington, Washington
We've partnered with Arlington Police Department to bring residents daily police reports, neighborhood maps and a free morning briefing.
Report vs. Arrest vs. Charges: What Each Stage Means
The difference between an incident report, an arrest, a charge, and a conviction — and why each stage tells a different story about public safety.
How to Read a Police Incident Report
What is in a police incident report? A plain-English guide to case numbers, offense codes, narratives, and what reported really means.
How to Read Crime Statistics Without Being Misled
A plain-English guide to understanding crime data — rates vs. counts, per-capita adjustments, reporting bias, and the limitations of all crime statistics.