City of Miami Department of Precrime. Actual newspaper story.

Sometimes I read things and they are just too stupid top believe somebody really published them.

Armed with high-tech software and years of crime data, Miami police believe they will soon be able to stop crimes by predicting when and where they will occur.

It sounds a little like something out of a science fiction novel, but the department is in the process of adopting a system called HunchLab that produces maps showing small areas where specific crimes are likely to be committed during shifts. The probability program is a geographical version of "predictive policing" software, which more departments are using — even if, in the words of one supportive cop, it's "kind of scary."

Similar algorithm-based programs have been credited with lowering crime rates in cities around the country, and some South Florida departments recently have adopted their own systems. In Miami's case, the department is funding the implementation of HunchLab and other software programs with a $600,000 federal grant doled out by the Bureau of Justice Assistance to encourage smart policing tactics.

Miami accepted the grant in November. On Thursday, the city commission will vote on a $120,000 contract with Florida International University to have Rob Guerette, an associate professor of criminal justice, study the department's program and run tests ahead of its launch.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article19256145.html#storylink=cpy

What this really means is that some guy scammed the Miami PD into paying him $120k to do what could be done with a box of little red pins and a map. But he's doing it with a [gasp!] COMPUTER so that makes it all science fictiony!

Why can't these dead tree assholes hurry up and go bankrupt already? My ghod, what a tool.

The Dead Tree Phantom