Are you safe?

Not everyone is as nice as you are. Some people are downright dangerous. We all deserve a chance, but it's best to be informed. There are a lot of crime maps available on the Internet to help you see what's going in in your neighborhood, or where you hang out, or where your kids go to school, or where you might be moving. GoogleMapsMania has *several* that integrate with Google's maps interface. Another one is available at CriminalSearches.

There's a certain inner debate when looking at sites like these. There's a little bit of voyeurism -- kinda like slowing down as you pass an accident on the side of the road. There's a little bit of shame -- you don't know all of the circumstances surrounding the crime, maybe they're reformed. A little bit of fear -- could they do it again, or worse. Then there is the technical awe that all of this information is available and so easy to navigate on this fad called the Internet.

I'll let you battle those things by yourself, but it's still a good idea to find out what's going on around you.

Be safe.