Houston, Texas

With a sudden rise in crime, the Westside Division of the Houston Police Department needs to utilize new technology more efficiently combat changing crime trends in their jurisdiction. Social Network Analysis (SNA), the proposed approach to address these issues, has been previously used to help police solve crimes ranging from murder to money laundering. The Houston Police Department (HPD) plans to implement and evaluate an innovative multi-technological program entitled “Human Trafficking and Violent Crime Social Network Analysis Project.” The site's SPI will combine SNA of complex networks of criminal actors with covert surveillance cameras, vehicle tracking devices, Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) devices and License Plate Recognition cameras to target human trafficking & prostitution rings, violent gangs, and other violent criminal organizations.