International Association of Chiefs of Police

A crime-fighting software program developed by the city of St. Louis Park has spread regionally and is now internationally known. GraffitiNet, a database that allows police departments to share details on tagging and suspects, received one of four 2008 Community Policing Awards from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The St. Louis Park Police Department was honored for its innovative new system to help fight graffiti.

GraffitiNet is a computer program, developed by Jason Huber, that allows St. Louis Park and other West Metro cities to share information and pictures of graffiti in their cities. They say taggers usually sign their graffiti the same way each time. Sharing information across cities makes it easier to catch and prosecute specific taggers.

St. Louis Park created and hosts the site, but all cities involved share the cost to run it. There are currently about 7 or 8 other cities using GraffitiNet. Officials say GraffitiNet has led to a 69 percent reduction in reported graffiti.

To learn more about International Association of Chiefs of Police visit: www.theiacp.org