Our scores leverage the CAP Index® Scoring System, developed by the pioneer and market leader in crime risk forecasting. CAP Index empowers over 80% of the Fortune 100 to make better-informed decisions throughout the security planning and security management cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our crime scores are generated using the CAP Index Scoring System,® developed by CAP Index’s team of criminologists over decades of sophisticated research. Our scores provide a relative measure of the likelihood that crime and loss will occur at a given address.
No. Crime counts are considered when validating the scores generated by our scoring model; however, the data is based on ‘social disorganization theory’ using the population makeup and identifying characteristics of the legal inhabitants surrounding an address. The scores are often used to make security-based decisions, but they are not a direct result of increased or decreased policing, rather they are a piece of an integrated effort to raise awareness of the potential for crime to occur.
“High” and “low” are relative terms. Different people may be satisfied with the exposure to different risk levels because they are aware of the inherent risks and have taken, or are willing to take, appropriate actions to address or mitigate the risk and still feel safe in their neighborhoods. Many people have varying tolerance as it relates to risk exposure and mitigation efforts, so to say a location is “high” or “low” risk becomes a subjective exercise.
Yes. Since incorporating in 1988, CAP Index has served thousands of corporate clients interested in protecting their employees, visitors and other invitees.
No. Redlining is an illegal activity. Our scoring model measures hundreds of demographic variables against historical occurrences of crime. Race, the key factor in redlining, is not among the variables.
The majority of our users, utilize our data to determine their risk of crime in order to address it properly. It is entirely possible and appropriate for a property owner to identify high crime risk, implement appropriate security measures, and have a safe property. The risk of crime alone does not dictate either that a person should not live in an area, or that they assume responsibility for any and all criminal acts on, or around their property.
In addition to the core elements of our research, we rely upon continuous data input from various sources, including our clients, to further validate our model. As a result of years of client and industry-specific research, CAP Index has compiled the largest database of crime loss data in the U.S. We combine this information with local police crime counts to provide the most accurate crime risk assessments available from any source in the country. In effect, every person we serve has the potential to strengthen the next.
In a corporate setting, many organizations do rely solely on CAP Index for their crime risk assessment. However, we advise that property owners make an effort to accumulate whatever information is available for a given location, including crime loss reports, police data, neighborhood security practices, and any other “due diligence” indicated by local, state and national industry standards.
The CAP Index Scoring System was created and is continuously maintained by a team of Criminologists, Statisticians, Security and Mapping professionals. The model contains the weighted averages of nearly 150 demographic variables as well as numerous sources of historical reported crime. We conduct ongoing validation research with individual clients and industry groups, comparing their actual incident history to our projections. The demographic databases included in the model are updated on an annual basis, ensuring the most up-to-date crime forecasting information available while allowing users to objectively compare risk at one location to any other location within the country in which they reside.
CAP Index crime risk data is currently available for the United States (including Puerto Rico), the United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico. Our residential scores are currently available for the United States alone.
The CAP Index Scoring System is updated on an annual basis to ensure we provide you the most accurate data to measure the likelihood of crime and loss.
The CAP Index Scoring System incorporates data sets that include over 100 demographic socio-economic factors. Our model integrates information on predictors of behavior, police reports, and client loss incidents. Follow this link to read more about the CAP Index Scoring System.
Still Have Questions?
If you can’t find an answer to your question in the FAQ’s below, you can always contact us and we’ll respond asap.