Milwaukee’s Bid To Host Dem’s 2020 Convention, Can Software Determine Where Crimes Will Occur?

Air Date:
Heard On The Morning Show
In this photo taken Friday, June 29, 2012, Jeff Brantingham, anthropology professor at the University of California Los Angeles, displays a computer generated “predictive policing,” zones at the Los Angeles Police Department Unified Command Post (UCP) in Los Angeles. Police officials say they are having success with a computer algorithm model that helps determine where to send officers to prevent or possibily interrupt a crime, which may serve as a model for other cash-strapped law enforcement agencies. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

Police departments around the nation are using software designed to help determine where and when a crime is likely to occur, and even who might commit it. We talk about what critics have to say and get a better understanding of how it works. We also discuss the possibility of the 2020 Democratic National Convention taking place in Milwaukee.

Featured in this Show

  • What Democrats Are Saying About Milwaukee Possibly Hosting The Party's 2020 Convention

    Milwaukee is one of the cities in the running to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020, and a decision on the host city is expected very soon. We hear what DNC members and officials had to say at the party’s recent winter meetings about Milwaukee as an option, what they like about the city, and what remains a question for them.

  • Does Predictive Policing Help or Harm?

    Police departments are increasingly making use of predictive software intended to help determine when and where a crime is most likely to occur, and who is most likely to commit it. The software can be an asset to resource-strapped departments, but critics say that without reform, predictive policing runs the risk of reinforcing racial biases already present in police data.

Episode Credits

  • Kate Archer Kent Host
  • Chris Malina Producer
  • Colleen Leahy Producer
  • Craig Gilbert Guest
  • Rashida Richardson Guest
  • Assistant Chief Jason Melby Guest