Am I missing something here? Am I going crazy?

Either way... the fact remains that Mr. Adelman seems to be getting quite a bit of credit for something he didn't "design", "create" or "invent" at all.

In fact, Mr. Adelman launched his website only a week after CrimeReportsLive.com (a superior website from all aspects) was launched.

Basically it was like someone inventing the car, and then a week later Avi came out with the horse and carriage... but anyway... I challenge any human being with a pulse to visit DailyCrimeReport.com and CrimeReportsLive.com and honestly be able to say that DCR holds even a candle to CRL.

Other than the fact that DCR is free, it really has a lot less to offer than CRL.

There are many trivial reasons that CRL is a far better product than DCR -- such as the design, layout, coding, use of interactive maps, etc... but there are two that are the killers:

1.) DCR requires an individual to look at a map, find their "police beat" and enter that into a form. Okay, Do you know what beat you live in? Do you have time to scour a map to find your beat? No. and No. CRL requires only a zip code. Do you know your zip code? Yes. Does everyone know their zip code? Yes. Do you have to find your house on a map to figure out your zip code, wasting precious time? NO!!

2.) Once you enter your beat into DCR, you get to WAIT to be given an e-mail with crime info in it. And what if you want to monitor more than one location (school, work, relatives, home, etc.) ? You have to look for those beats and enter them individually, and wait for an email! Well... on CRL, you enter a zipcode and INSTANTLY get all crimes reported in that zip, and you can even specify a date range, time range and crime types. So... I really wish that before you run out to jump on Adelman's over-hyped, under-delivering website, you take a look at CrimeReportsLive.com... THEN use Adelman's.

I doubt you'll visit DCR again!

Avi Adelman may have a history in Dallas for being a "neighborhood watchdog" and yes: hats off to that.

But please do not let yourself be made to believe that Adelman conceived this wonderful product... and that hes some sort of hero/mastermind for doing it.

When you look at the truth (something Adelman seems to be a proponent of) you'll find that not only did he not create this product... he gave NO credit to those who actually did.

He DID however, take the time to "bash" CRL in his e-news letter, though. Awesome.

So Avi, if you must come out with an inferior product just days after CRL comes out, at least let the people make the choice for themselves as to whether or not your product is indeed better. And Rad-- as a writer, you should probably do some RESEARCH before you go awarding "Citizen of the Year" medals to Adelman for being some sort of saint. Although Adelman had a great idea... it WASN'T his.

Avi is NOT the only watchdog on the block.

[Ed Note: Sorry, I have to weigh in here. The fact remains: Avi's information is free while yours costs money. I couldn't care less about the technicalities of the interface--how easy it is to use, or how many minutes it saves. Avi's reports provide valuable information at no cost. This sounds like sour grapes because someone else built a better mousetrap--granted perhaps not in your opinion. By the way, we don't charge for our public information, here, either.]

[Ed Note: Sorry, I have to weigh in here. The fact remains: Avi's information is free while yours costs money. I couldn't care less about the technicalities of the interface--how easy it is to use, or how many minutes it saves. Avi's reports provide valuable information at no cost. This sounds like sour grapes because someone else built a better mousetrap--granted perhaps not in your opinion. By the way, we don't charge for our public information, here, either.]

1.) CRL does have a free crime search that provides INSTANT results. If your child is about to go to a party or dance, or whatever, you need crime reports relative the location of the event NOW. Not tomorrow. Only the detailed crime reports cost money. And they are ALSO INSTANT. Like, you click it then you get it. You really expect me to believe that when you go to a website, you don't care how easy it is to use, or how much time it saves?? Please! Thats the whole POINT of the internet. You can either flip through the yellow pages, or click a few times and get the same info. Don't fool yourself.

2.) The site isn't 'mine' like you say. I just was very interested in crime statistics in Dallas, so I used both sites... along with a many others in other states... and am stating my opinion.

3.) My post wasn't really about which site is better, but about giving credit where credit is due, and allowing people to see the whole picture. People have made the mistake of thinking that "free is better". When has that ever been the case? The truth of the matter is that Avi began charging $60 per month for membership to his site, but quickly realized that no one would pay for such slow results / non user-friendliness. Yet, the second he starts offering the info for free, he's Christ incarnate. I'm merely surprised that of the two crime sites, you guys chose to feature DCR simply because it's free, and glorify someone who is essentially re-inventing the wheel. I have nothing against the guy. I just wanted to make it very clear that he didn't "create" or "invent" anything at all, and let it be known that DCR is definitely not the only source of very good crime data for public use.

4.) Most importantly. A mousetrap that doesn't trap $$$ isn't much of a mousetrap.

[Ed Note: See, your last point (4) doesn't make much sense to me. This website has never, will never take contributions or donations. Yet it gets between 60,000 to 90,000 visitors a month. Guess it isn't much of a mousetrap either!

Reminds me of the old vacuum cleaner wars of the 1960's!]

We collect personal information in order to build a demographic model of our readers. Nothing new about that.

Some mousetraps take time to build an advertising base. I am very patient and have mice already banging at the trap door.

CRL and DCR provide different services. Use the one you want.

Re bashing - This is not a surprise. If I were to take a flying leap off of Reunion Tower, hitting the ground and spreading my entrails all over the place, these same people would criticize me for littering.

[Ed Note: Yeah, there's just something about you isn't there :) ]

The writer of this post apparently has not paid attention to my comments in the media or my website, so let me straighten him out with 2 x 4 across his head.

Look up the domain name - http://www.mycrimestats.com

Let me save you the trouble since I am sure that interface is too difficult for you.

I bought that name about a year ago. Before that I owned, but let slide off, NationalCrimeStats.com and LocalCrimeStats.com

In other words, I did NOT just wake up a few weeks ago and decide to build a better mouse trap. I already had designed the mouse trap, someone else built it first.

As to finding your location on the map - yes the maps are not the best and the DPD is getting some new maps (no one noticed that the northernmost border of the Central Division - Mockingbird Lane - was not even labeled).

And I do link you to the City's GIS Mapping site, where you can - say this slowly with me - type in your address and get your DPD Beat number handed to you on a silver e-platter.

The very fact that your comment is posted Anonymously but linked to CrimeReportsLive.com shows me you are a shy, quiet human being who has no frigging idea what you are talking about and is afraid to show your face in public.

That said, go back to your corner and pout.

[Ed Note: It is amazing how much controversy a simple, free service can generate. Everybody needs to settle down. Don't you think?]

Adelman,

Just make sure that when you hit someone over the head with a 2x4, you do it on a MAJOR street. Because you see, you have no residential streets on your maps, thus it will be very hard for people to locate the assault on DCR.

God Bless! For a law-abiding, neighborhood watching citizen, you sure do take criticism pretty hard. Guess it's been a while since someone was honest with you rather than glorifying the soil you walk upon, oh hero of heros.

"I already had designed the mouse trap, someone else built it first."

Thanks. Thats all we needed to hear. Carry on.

Oh. Heres some food for thought:

http://www.crimeindc.org/
http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20060428_HOMICIDE_MAP.html
http://www.incidentlog.com/
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/homicidemap/
http://www.boston-online.com/crime/

[Ed Note: Again, I keep wondering why all the animosity over a free website?]

The maps are provided by the Dallas Police Department.

The maps are created by the City's GIS Department, and everyone realizes they have a number of technical limits (like street details).

The DPD maps are JUST for figuring out where you live.

The reports you get in the email will not (for this version) include maps. Why? Because if you subscribe for your sector or beat, then you already know (we hope) the names and locations of streets around your house.

Mapping will come out in version 2, but it's not high on the priority list.

I usually have a thick skin for criticism (your comments are NOT considered criticism) but when someone makes statements that are just flat out garbage or lies, I have no problem taking a 2 x 4 to them. Not only do I have to correct that person's remarks, but the impressions of everyone who read and believed his remarks, too.

Avi--

I asked in a post that didn't show up--why do YOU need my birthdate for ME to look up crime stats?

I really respect the work you do for your neighborhood, but like others before you, QUIT SLAMMING THE ANONYMOUS POSTERS. Saying your own name does not make you any braver than anyone else. Several of us are anonymous so we can keep posting, or are you also in need of being hit over the head with 2x4 to understand that? ---Oops, sorry, fell into your way of insulting people you don't know.

Anyway, I will get my own stats from the DPD. They have never asked for my birthdate.

[Ed Note: You point out something very important here. The crime stats are public information. Anyone is free to (1) get them on their own and (2) "build a better [in their opinion] mousetrap." If you don't like what Avi is doing, then do it yourself. If you don't like it that Avi is asking for your birthdate, then don't use his service! But to bash and bash and bash... I just don't get it.]

With respect to Avi's site, "FREE" is a big deal. I only have to look up my beat stuff one time, and I don't require instantaneous access to the info.

Thanks, Mr. Adelman!

We are pleased to welcome Avi and his product to the Dallas marketplace. After two years of work with the Dallas Police Technology Unit to create the feed and the database design for use by the public, it is encouraging to see someone else take that data and use it in their own way.

I know how hard it is to invent a system that uses this data, and that's why it took over 2 years starting with only a few test records from the Dallas Police Department to the very advanced multi-million record system we developed along with the DPD"s leadership.

Over 7000 hours of programming time from InteloQuence, "creators of the system" went into providing the system that Mr. Adelman accesses.

It is disappointing that the harsh comparison of the two sites in this blog has left a fair review absent.

So here's a Crimereportslive.com feature review.

We offer access to everyone for free. Extensive reports of crime by crime type are displayed in the crime map in seconds. These crime maps display "bubbles" for each offense. Those offenses are then clickable to display the full report, and link to the Dallas Police Department's own offense report for the complete crime report. (until now you actually had to GO to the Police Department and request it in person).

There is no fee, and in fact, we offer the Hi-Def version of the site for free as well for "try it before you buy it" users.

We do charge for membership, yes, but members can see the actual street address in relation to not only the zip code, but the beat, and reporting area. In addition, we deliver this report to cellphones, email and pda's with a corresponding link to the actual offense report. It is possible to create a profile showing only the visitors "home profile" or "kid's school" "office" or any other location that they wish to monitor. They can name those profiles and get notification not only in a few seconds, but daily, as crime happens.

In addition, paid members also can see crime trends for their neighborhoods, compare those to years past and investigate those crimes by date range and type of crime. For example, "all crimes by street in November 2005", or "assaults near my kids' school in May 2007".

You can buy this for $20 for a single month, or have year long piece of mind for about 27¢ a day.

Free Does Matter, but so do facts. The facts are, Avi meets a certain market niche with this product, and we meet another.

Try my product, and see which you prefer yourselves.

Dan Elliott/President/Crimereportslive.com

[Ed Note: I can appreciate your closing point. Thanks for updating us.]