The Combat Zone(s) in YOUR Home Town

April 30, 2008

We’ve talked a lot in this blog about our office being in “The Combat Zone” of Raleigh. We even made our own map highlighting the area. Well, our friend Susan just tipped us to some interesting and visually humorous (despite the content) information design called SPOT CRIME which maps different types of scary things like assault, burglary, shooting, vandalism, etc and where they have happened within a certain amount of time in a number of cities across the USA.

Here is the key to what these maps track:

When you visit the site, you can mouse over each icon to learn more about the definition – like who knew there was a difference between theft, burglary and robbery?

Anyway, looking at the NC maps, it seems different cities can claim expertise for different types of crime.

Raleigh, for instance, is very skilled in assault and theft:

Durham, on the other hand, is all about shootings. I don’t actually believe this map, as those of us who love Durham know that the crime rate is maybe just a li’l bit high. I surmise that they only have time to track the most grievous crimes (shootings) and all the others are just too overwhelming to count:

And lets not forget Charlotte. Their strength is burglaries – it is the banking capital after all. Doesn’t this map make burglaries look awesome? All those little guys look like they’re having a blast!

Stumble it!

Tags: , Charlotte, combat zone, graphic design, information design, nightlife