Why Police Reports Can Fall Short

Police reports can provide a partial view of the safety conditions surrounding a property. These reports focus on incidents that have been formally recorded, but several factors may influence what is ultimately documented:

• Underreporting: In some areas, individuals may choose not to report incidents due to personal concerns, perceived severity, fear of retribution or lack of trust with law enforcement.

• Changes in enforcement practices: As certain offenses are reclassified or handled differently, fewer incidents may result in formal reports, which can affect how activity is reflected in the data.

• Privacy requirements move to redact address or otherwise blur incident and reporting data.

• Underreported. Sometimes, reports are not made.

• Decriminalization. It's not a crime, it's a call for service.

• Incident data moves. Crimes, calls for service are moved to quality of life reporting.

For example, calls for service, which refer to instances where police respond to a request for assistance, can provide additional context. These calls may include situations that do not lead to a formal report but still reflect patterns of activity within an area.

Why Alternative Datasets Matter

To develop a more complete understanding of property conditions, attorneys and security professionals may consider additional datasets alongside police reports. These sources can provide broader context:

• Census analysis: Reviewing trends over time can help identify recurring activity or changes within a specific area.

• Organizational incident data

• Risk control reporting

• Insurance claims

• Public sources of information

• Independent research, data gathering sites

By considering these sources together, professionals can form a more informed assessment of conditions related to foreseeability in security related cases.

Conclusion

Police reports alone may not tell the full story when it comes to assessing property risk. To accurately evaluate foreseeability and mitigate liability, attorneys and property owners must broaden their data sources. By incorporating alternative datasets and consulting with expert witnesses, organizations can gain a better understanding of potential risks and strengthen their defense strategies.

For additional resources on risk assessments, visit Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment on Ahrens Security.