The Huntersville Police Department announced this week that it has "gone live" at CrimeMapping.com, a nationwide public mapping service that allows residents to analyze interactive maps of recent crime activity.

Visitors to the site can search by location and filter for different time periods and well as types of crime. In addition to learning about the type and location of a reported crime, users can click on an icon to learn the proximity of their residence or business to the reported incident.

The program also features a "crime alert" function that allows residents to register online to receive free updates via e-mail whenever new crime activity occurs in their neighborhood. Users can select the search perimeter and the types of crimes they want to trigger updates. A single user can register multiple times to learn about activity near their home, their business or any other location, including their child's school.

A free mobile iPhone application is also available to provide constant access to the information.

The Huntersville department opted to participate in CrimeMapping as a tool to provide residents with easy access to current crime data and as a method to improve community oriented policing efforts.