WebProNews

Since the introduction of satellite technology onto Google Maps, the service has been the recipient of a number of hacks that can improve the functionality of Google's map service. Others have found methods in which to include Google Maps into the service they provide as well.

While some of these unauthorized upgrades were pointed out yesterday, today there is news of another nifty site which uses the capability of Google Maps' to its advantage.

The site ChicagoCrime.org gives visitors a database of police blotter information concerning crime in the Windy City. When you click on a link, users are taken to a page that gives them a Google Map display of where the crime(s) took place. By default, the map representation is delivered in the standard animated format, but the link to convert the image to a satellite representation is available.

The site contains links to broken down by the following categories:

- Hours with most crimes
- Beats with most crimes
- Beats with fewest crimes
- Most commonly reported crimes
- Full crime-type list
- Most common crime locations

They also provide a crime by locations link, which gives users a comprehensive rundown of a particular crime and what area it was committed in. The destination pages also come complete with a Google Map image, giving users an idea of what areas are hit hardest by a particular crime.

Keep these hacks and innovations involving Google Maps coming. Thanks to Fazed for pointing this out.

Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest search news.