The Davenport Police Department is spearheading a significant transformation in crime prevention through the strategic implementation of advanced data analytics. At the core of this initiative is a dedicated three-member crime analytics unit, established in 2021, which has redefined how law enforcement approaches complex criminal challenges. This innovative team, a direct response to a previous surge in gun-related incidents, leverages sophisticated statistical methods and technology to enhance public safety and departmental efficiency.
A pivotal figure in this unit is Allissa Hawk, a civilian analyst whose expertise has brought a scientific rigor to police operations. Hawk’s initial analyses revealed striking patterns in local gun crime, identifying that a disproportionate 47% of reported shootings in 2023 occurred within two concentrated, small areas of Davenport, often within hours of each other. This precise mapping and temporal correlation allowed officers to focus their efforts with unprecedented accuracy, leading to tangible successes, such as the recovery of multiple firearms.
Police Chief Jeffery Bladel candidly admits the department felt “completely overwhelmed” by the scale of gun crime prior to the analytics unit’s formation. Despite arrests and case resolutions, the pervasive issues seemed unrelenting. The shift to a data-driven approach, supported by a substantial $700,000 Strategies for Policing Innovations grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, provided the necessary resources to research local crime trends and employ specialized civilian analysts. This strategic funding underscores a national recognition of the value of police innovation.
Further solidifying their analytical framework, Davenport collaborated with external experts, notably contracting with John Jay College to conduct an in-depth study of the city’s crime landscape. This comprehensive research yielded a critical insight: a minuscule 0.18% of Davenport residents were responsible for approximately half of the city’s gun crimes. Such precise data points informed the development of targeted crime prevention strategies, including the Group Violence Intervention program, which directly engages individuals to disrupt cycles of violence.
Hawk’s analytical contributions extend beyond gun crime, encompassing the development of vital dashboards and briefings for other offenses like burglaries, robberies, and stolen vehicles. Her proactive work also involves monitoring social media for potential threats to public events and identifying networks associated with criminal activities. Furthermore, Davenport’s integration into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) in 2018 revolutionized gun investigations, dramatically reducing the time required to link shell casings to firearms from months to mere hours, a testament to embracing advanced law enforcement technology.
While quantifying a direct increase in solved crimes remains challenging, departmental leaders unanimously agree that the analytics unit significantly enhances efficiency, minimizes redundant tasks, and optimizes officer deployment. The team’s capabilities include accessing city-owned surveillance cameras and employing basic artificial intelligence for searches, such as identifying a “blue car” in hours of footage, thereby streamlining investigations. This forward-thinking embrace of AI in policing represents a crucial step towards smarter and more effective resource allocation.
Addressing community concerns, the department maintains strict protocols regarding privacy and surveillance, requiring employees to sign personal attestations for criminal predicate use of all tools. In a commitment to enhanced transparency, the analytics team is developing a public-facing database for calls for service, allowing residents to search addresses and view police activity within a 24-hour delay. This initiative, while acknowledging limitations (e.g., initial call types versus final outcomes), aims to reduce records requests and foster greater public trust, embodying a modern approach to public safety.
The tangible results of these data-driven strategies are evident in the decline of gun crime in Davenport since 2020, mirroring a national trend. Specific data presented in December 2024 showed a notable reduction in non-fatal shooting wounds and a nearly 67% decrease in shots-fired incidents over the past five years. As articulated by police leaders, this systematic utilization of data analytics is widely regarded as “the future of policing,” allowing for the smarter, more effective deployment of sworn officers and paving the way for sustained community safety improvements.
