The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office launched a new interactive online crime map called CrimeReports that allows residents to see real-time crime locations and enter information to the RCSO.

CrimeReports, available at www.crimereports.com/agency/RCSO, draws on the RCSO's records to publish local crime data, updated three times a day, according to an RCSO spokesperson. Residents can now view local crime information in the RCSO jurisdiction in near real-time, set up daily, weekly, or monthly automated reports on a variety of crimes, and send anonymous tips to the RCSO.

TipSoft allows citizens to submit anonymous tips via the Web or their mobile phone.

In addition, a mobile application called CityConnect provides both the crime map and tip submission features on any iPhone or Android smartphone.

"The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office is excited to be able to offer the new crime map as part of our proactive efforts to prevent, reduce and solve crime, while also building a positive relationship with the community," said Sheriff Eric Levett in a statement. "I know that many Rockdale residents have asked for a publicly viewable crime map for years and they now have access to it through CrimeReports. The integration of the crime map is the first of several technological improvements that the RCSO is using to reduce crime and make Rockdale County safer."

The CrimeReports map program is part of the PublicEngines crime software package purchased by the RCSO using $78,232 in seized drug money. Another component of the package will eventually be able to help deputies predict where crime is more likely to occur, allowing patrols to be placed in locations before an incident occurs.

Conyers Police Department's crime map, in place since 2010, shows crimes within the Conyers city limits and can be seen at www.crimemapping.com/map/ga/conyers