s The CAP Index Scoring System | CAP Index

The Science Behind Crime Risk

Developed by CAP Index’s team of criminologists over decades of sophisticated research, our proprietary scoring methodology ensures accurate assessment of risk. 

Hundreds of Data Points, One Crime Risk Score

What differentiates CAP’s crime risk assessment? We don’t just rely on police data for our analysis. The CAP Index scoring methodology uses advanced forecasting techniques that combine hundreds of demographic and business statistics with crime and loss data to calculate crime risk with precision and consistency. 

This variable approach is based on Social Disorganization Theory, which asserts that neighborhood social problems tend to correlate with crime in a particular location.

The result: An unbiased, data-backed score tailored to each industry and organization that accurately predicts the likelihood of crime and loss at any given address.

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The Data Behind Your Insights

The intelligence powering our smart security solutions incorporates dozens of data sets with more than 100 risk factors, including:

Education Data

  • Education Level Achieved
  • School Populations (K-12)
  • Population in Higher Education

Housing Data

  • Housing Distributions
  • Housing Types
  • Housing Values

Client Crime & Loss Data

Transit Data

  • Travel Time to Work
  • Means of Transit to Work
  • Vehicles per Household

Population Data

  • Age Distributions
  • Family/Household Makeup
  • Marital Status

Industry Crime & Loss Data

Economic Data

  • Households in Poverty
  • Employment Rates
  • Incomes Amounts/Sources

Business Data

  • Business Type
  • Business Density
  • Business Proximity

Police Data

Find Your Methodology

Each crime risk score is calculated using one of our four scoring methodologies, which represent different influences on risk. This includes how far perpetrators travel to commit a crime — known in criminology as the “journey to crime” — and how it may affect the crime risk in surrounding areas. A report that includes multiple methodologies can give you a more complete view of crime risk.

Not sure which method of measurement is right for your goals?  Learn more:

Max-1 Methodology

What it is: Measures crime within 1 mile of a given location or with a population cap of 25,000. 

When to use it: This method is best for on-the-go assessments where the risk of crime is local. 

Typically used for:

  • Delivery protocols
  • Executive travel
  • Field visits
  • Service calls
  • And more

Max-3 Methodology

What it is: Measures crime within 3 miles of a given location or with a population cap of 100,000. 

When to use it: For businesses that primarily draw local customers, use this scoring methodology. 

Typically used for: 

  • Restaurants
  • Convenience stores & grocers
  • Small offices
  • Urgent care & clinics
  • And more

Max-6 Methodology

What it is: Measures crime within 6 miles of a given location or with a population cap of 400,000. 

When to use it: Use this if your organization serves customers and employees beyond your local neighborhood.

Typically used for:

  • Banks
  • Hospitals
  • Large retailers
  • Manufacturing facilities 
  • And more

Max-12 Methodology

What it is: Measures crime within 12 miles of a given location or with a population cap of 1,600,000. 

When to use it: If your facility draws visitors from a large geographic area, this measurement method is best. 

Typically used for:

  • Entertainment venues
  • Distribution centers
  • Corporate campuses
  • Data centers
  • And more

Protect Your Organization With Data

Ready to elevate your security strategy using data-driven crime risk intelligence? Learn more about CAP Index’s suite of solutions.

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