Cary, N.C. — Crime information in Cary is now available anytime thanks to the town’s new interactive crime map section at Maps Online.

Prior to the online tool, citizens requested reports in person at the police department and waited for them to be produced and mailed.

“One of the most effective deterrents to crime is an aware and involved citizenry, and we believe that this new tool will go a long way in helping citizens help us keep Cary one of the safest places to live and work in America,” Police Chief Pat Bazemore said in a news release.

The new site enables visitors to enter a specific address and request information on crimes occurring within the past year and up to 1 mile from the requested address.

Different icons then appear, if applicable, for each of 21 different types of crimes, including categories such as burglaries, larcenies and motor vehicle thefts. Below the map, the corresponding address, crime type and date are displayed.

“With more than 94 percent of our residents having access to the Internet, this new tool is expected to build upon the existing high level of customer service that our Web site provides,” Bazemore said.

While Cary police officers have been using an internal crime map web application for years, the town developed the external Web site in conjunction with JCH Geo Info Solutions. The new tool is expected to increase staff effectiveness by reducing time spent filling crime map requests.

Cary offers additional geographic information through Maps Online, including development activities such as current annexation and rezoning cases and site and subdivision plan; road building and other capital projects; voting information and property information.

Locations of water lines, sewer lines and parks are also available on the site.