As a REALTOR®, I want to serve my clients as best as I can. While the rules and codes of conducts prevent us from giving legal advice or steering someone away from a particular neighborhood, for example, there are other ways I can help. I give clients as much information as possible so they can make the best decision for themselves. One of the new tools I learned about, and will share with my clients, is a new iPhone app called CrimeReports.
CrimeReports, a free app, features real-time data from over 600 law enforcement agencies in North America. The app allows the user to filter the data by location, address, type of incident, and for a specific date range. There is also data available for the location of sex offenders' residence, and the user can also receive free email crime alerts.
What a great tool! If you're looking for a home and have an iPhone, I think CrimeReports would be a great app to have. If you don't have an iPhone, just visit CrimeReports.com to use it in a regular browser.
Droid phone users - I checked our app store and it appears that for now we just have "Crime Map" with data for Japan, only. Traveling to Japan? This may be the Droid app for you. If not, check back later and perhaps they'll release a U.S. version of CrimeReports!
Be safe out there.