The report to the National Institute of Justice on which this book is based details a three-year research project involving participants from four organizations: the Chicago Police Department, the Center for Research in Law and Justice (University of Illinois at Chicago), the Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research (Northwestern University), and the Chicago Alliance for Neighborhood Safety, a consortium of community organizations. The overall objective of the project was the improvement of crime analysis. Its specific focus was the development of a crime mapping system called MAPADS (microcomputer-assisted police analysis and deployment system) for use by both police and community groups. While technical details are included, they are motivated by an underlying philosophy, embedded in a social context, and related to the overall meaning of the project.

The book will surely interest anyone concerned with crime prevention or specifically involved in similar projects. Because of its thoughtful approach and its articulation of fundamental issues, however, I recommend it highly to anyone involved in designing a computerized information system.

The authors first discuss their philosophy on the use of computers and the analysis of data. They note that while their data are statistical, their aim is not the generation of numbers or of answers but assisting users in making sense out of the data. They believe that creating maps, that is, making the data visual and putting them in geographic context, will aid the user in seeking and finding patterns in the data. The user can combine intuition and experience with program capabilities to determine the analyses to be performed and the data plotted. Rather than testing preset hypotheses, the system aids in the generation of hypotheses. They term this approach to computer use “power steering” as contrasted to “autopilot.” They call their overall approach, which enables and encourages the user to bring experience and other information to bear, “cognitive data analysis.”

Other significant issues discussed include the nature of the information dealt with; the problems with previous computer-based methods; the relationships between the involved groups; and the differences in roles, needs, and perceptions of the various intended users. In the course of the project, as part of the conceptualization, development, and creation of the system, these issues were openly addressed so that the different perceptions were brought closer together, information exchange among the users began, and cooperation was initiated. The introduction of the computerized system is presented as part of a larger process that is necessary for eventual effective and meaningful use of the system.

An important point is stated directly and reiterated in many different ways: “If the innovation is to be used by a specific group…bring that group in on the project from the beginning. Do not let this become an us-versus-them situation.” Regardless of the setting, no better advice can be given.