Case Studies > Getting Into High GEARS: Police in LaGrange, Georgia Use Crash-Reporting Technology to Manage Resources, Maintain Public Safety

Getting Into High GEARS: Police in LaGrange, Georgia Use Crash-Reporting Technology to Manage Resources, Maintain Public Safety

Customer Company Size

Mid-size Company

Region

America

Country

United States

Product

Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS)
LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Tech Stack

Electronic Crash Reporting System
Data Analysis Tools

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Productivity Improvements
Cost Savings
Customer Satisfaction

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Applicable Industries

Security & Public Safety
Transportation

Applicable Functions

Field Services
Business Operation

Use Cases

Vehicle Telematics
Fleet Management
Predictive Maintenance

Services

System Integration
Data Science Services

About The Customer

The LaGrange Police Department, located in LaGrange, Georgia, is a forward-thinking law enforcement agency led by Chief Louis Dekmar. The department has been proactive in adopting new technologies to enhance public safety and improve operational efficiency. With a focus on traffic safety, the department has been a leader in implementing innovative solutions to better serve their community. The department handles a significant volume of traffic incidents, with 2,444 accidents reported in the previous year, necessitating efficient data management and resource allocation.

The Challenge

Police departments in Georgia faced significant delays in processing crash data due to the manual, paper-based system in place before 2009. This lag hindered the ability of law enforcement, local officials, and public safety stakeholders to make timely, data-driven decisions. The LaGrange Police Department, led by Chief Louis Dekmar, was particularly affected by these inefficiencies, which limited their ability to deploy resources effectively and improve traffic safety.

The Solution

In 2009, Georgia implemented the Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS), developed by a company that later became part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions. LaGrange was one of the first cities to adopt this system, which allowed for electronic collection, storage, and analysis of crash data. This transition from paper-based reporting to an electronic system significantly improved the efficiency of data processing. GEARS enabled the LaGrange Police Department to quickly access and analyze crash data, allowing for more informed decision-making. The system also facilitated better deployment of traffic enforcement personnel to high-priority areas, enhancing public safety and resource management.

Operational Impact

The implementation of GEARS has led to increased efficiency in deploying traffic enforcement personnel to high-priority locations, ensuring that resources are allocated where they are most needed.
The system has reduced the time and staff resources required to analyze crash data, allowing officers to focus on more critical tasks.
The LaGrange Police Department has improved its ability to make data-driven decisions, enhancing their responsiveness to citizen needs and improving overall public safety.
The adoption of electronic reporting has been positively received by the community, reducing the need for in-person visits to the police department and streamlining the reporting process.
The department has leveraged technology to meet expanding public expectations and address the growing need for police presence and involvement in the community.

Quantitative Benefit

LaGrange had 2,444 accidents in the previous year, highlighting the volume of data managed through GEARS.
The goal of having fifty percent of citations written in areas with the most accidents or complaints has been supported by the data provided by GEARS.