GEOSPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT HOTSPOTS IN PHOENIX

Abstract

Investigating aggravated assaults can be challenging for law enforcement officers. Crime analysts can make the process more efficient by uncovering valuable insights from data. Using only data from calls for service in 2024, this project analyzes crime patterns in Phoenix, Arizona. This study examines the distribution of aggravated assaults across the city of Phoenix using 2024 calls for service data to identify crime hotspots and peak times for these incidents. The study employed Excel and ArcGIS Pro for data preparation, filtering, and geocoding to isolate aggravated assaults. Methods for geospatial analysis, like Kernel Density Estimation and Hot Spot Analysis, were applied to locate areas with high incident concentrations. A temporal analysis, using the time and date fields in the data, was conducted to identify patterns related to when assaults occurred more frequently. These patterns were at specific times and days of the week. There was a significant concentration of aggravated assaults in certain areas in Phoenix. Aggravated assaults peaked on weekends, showing a clear temporal pattern. During high-risk periods, law enforcement should increase patrols in identified hotspots. In addition, the analysis offers recommendations for confronting the factors or issues that contribute to these crimes. This project demonstrates how public safety data can improve crime prevention strategies by leveraging spatial and temporal analysis. As a result, law enforcement can allocate resources more efficiently.