Bridgeport police make crime stats available to the public online

Bridgeport police are making crime statistics available to the public online.

The department says it is using information technology provided by LexisNexis to launch its community crime maps, which residents can access on the Bridgeport Police Department website.

"And it's just a way for our police department and the city of Bridgeport to be a little more transparent," said Lt. Stacey Lyons.

The data is limited to residential and commercial burglaries and motor thefts.

"It allows citizens of the City of Bridgeport to see what's happening in their area," said Lyons.

The city creates community crime maps using crime statistics collected through its emergency dispatch system.

"They can go on and take a look at their neighborhood or any place in the city and see what's mapped out," said Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim.

Bridgeport residents say it's a big step in the right direction.

"You just never know how many people are watching you, you never know what they're planning on doing, so you have to really be aware of your surroundings at all times, and with this kind of thing being in place, I do feel that it will give a level of security," said Sharon Robinson, a resident from Bridgeport.

City officials say eventually people will be able to get all crime stats online, from sexual assaults to murders.