For those of you tracking the progress that developers are making with the Google map API, you'll be hard pressed to find a better implementation than that of ChicagoCrime.org. The clever developer of this site has incorporated the Google Map API along with some publicly available crime data from the City of Chicago. Visitors can browse crimes by type, street, date, police district, ZIP code, Ward, or specific location. Viewing a them like Arson will reveal details of a specific occurrence sorted by date/time accompanied by an address and a direct hyperlink to a crime map served via the Google map API.
According to the site, they incorporate crime data obtained from the CPD's Citizen ICAM Web site, which is a publicly available database of reported crime. See http://12.17.79.6/. (See disclaimer below)
When viewing the resulting map revealed by a search users can toggle the display to show the map (a typical vanilla Google map), Satellite (imagery from Google Keyhole), or a hybrid (a combination of the two previous options).
For developers creating their own apps, the site also provides news which describes all the latest progress and developments.
About the developer... as referenced in a lead from http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/, the developer of ChicagoCrimeMaps, Adrian Holovaty, gained so much notoriety from his efforts that the Washington Post not only hired him but they created a new position just to accommodate him. It seems the newspaper was so impressed that Holvaty will soon be taking up a role with the "Post" as "editor, editorial innovations". He'll be charged with coming up with new ideas for site features, implementing things quickly, and working on special projects. (source: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=31&aid=86489)
Note to users: Citizen ICAM (the data source) only gives access to 90 days' worth of crime, and there is a week delay before crime reports are available online. Because chicagocrime.org gets its data from Citizen ICAM, they have the same limitations.
For more information about the Google Map API See:
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
10 Ways Your Tech Business Can Take Advantage of Twitter - Many companies and individuals are still asking themselves how can I use Twitter in my business? The following is a small sampling of some of the ways that your technology business can use Twitter to your advantage.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
For those of you tracking the progress that developers are making with the Google map API, you'll be hard pressed to find a better implementation than that of ChicagoCrime.org. The clever developer of this site has incorporated the Google Map API along with some publicly available crime data from the City of Chicago. Visitors can browse crimes by type, street, date, police district, ZIP code, Ward, or specific location. Viewing a them like Arson will reveal details of a specific occurrence sorted by date/time accompanied by an address and a direct hyperlink to a crime map served via the Google map API.
See more 
