Understanding the Surge: Analyzing New York City's EDP Calls for Better Mental Health Crisis Response

 Last year, New York City's emergency services received an astounding 340,390 calls classified as EDP (Emotionally Distressed Person). This staggering number highlights the critical need for mental health resources and emergency response preparedness.

Infographic Insights:

• Monthly Trends: Observe how call volumes fluctuate throughout the year.
• Time of Day: Identifying peak times can help optimize response strategies.
• Borough Breakdown: Which areas are most affected?
• Weekday vs. Weekend: Analyzing the variation in call patterns.
• Hotspot Mapping: Our infographic includes an optimized map pinpointing high-frequency locations, providing a visual tool for better resource allocation.

As we delve into these statistics, the goal is not just to respond more effectively, but to understand underlying patterns that can guide preventive measures and community support initiatives. Let’s discuss how data-driven insights can enhance our approach to mental health crises.

New Semester Sheds Light on NYC Shootings

My students will begin this semester by mapping NYC shooting data from January-June 2022.  It is an unfortunate but necessary endeavor.  Some of the maps they will be creating include demonstrating locations of fatal shootings and ages of victims.

 

An important concept in crime mapping is showing WHEN an event has occurred.  Students will be creating maps that show the time of day and day of the week shootings occur.   This is useful for identifying patterns and applying solutions to this terrible problem.