This is the same as any other (ab)use of statistics. Forecasting is a valid and useful practice for managing your people and process. Maybe you redeploy resources to improve response time or schedule shifts to match forecasted incidents, etc. Data collection is pretty awful with this type of data, so good luck doing much more.
But the problem is that the public hears something different when they hear "automated crime prediction". People hear something novel that could prevent crime. After all, if rain is predicted, you grab an umbrella.
The reality is that cops on the street already know where crimes are likely to happen. You'll get some tools to reduce workload on police sergeants doing scheduling and things like data presentation are probably the primary benefit. Not as sexy as minority report.
But the problem is that the public hears something different when they hear "automated crime prediction". People hear something novel that could prevent crime. After all, if rain is predicted, you grab an umbrella.
The reality is that cops on the street already know where crimes are likely to happen. You'll get some tools to reduce workload on police sergeants doing scheduling and things like data presentation are probably the primary benefit. Not as sexy as minority report.