by Moshe Binyamin
Patrolfinder Director of Safety and Security
In my line of work, I spend a lot of time talking with police chiefs. No matter the size of the department, I hear the same frustration, especially from agencies covering large or diverse communities. Residents say things like, “I haven’t seen a cop in two weeks,” or “My neighborhood never gets patrolled,” or “Why does that side of town get more coverage than we do?”
The reality is that officers are usually working nonstop. They are answering calls, handling reports, and moving from one priority to the next. But here is the challenge. Most departments do not have a simple and clear way to show the community what is actually happening. Without solid data, the conversation turns into perception versus reality, and perception often wins.
That’s where Patrolfinder comes in. Patrolfinder converts everyday patrol activity into defensible, statistical proof of coverage by continuously documenting when patrol vehicles traverse streets. Chiefs can quickly see which areas were covered and when. They can respond to questions from residents or council members with time-stamped facts instead of guesses or anecdotes.
Officers can also see coverage gaps in real time and adjust during their shift. When everyone is looking at the same operational picture, decisions improve, coverage becomes more consistent, and trust grows.
What’s a common issue you face at your department? Share your thoughts by emailing getpatrolfinder@patrolfinder.com.
Learn how Patrolfinder is helping law enforcement increase the safety of communities and officers by emailing getpatrolfinder@transfinder.com, calling 800-373-3609 or visiting patrolfinder.com.
