Mapping Handgun Purchases in Eagan

[yukonjasper]

I am a little disturbed by what I think I am seeing on the City of Eagan Police website. I went online to get a non-emergency number to report a vandalism incident that happened in the park in the neighborhood and decided to check out the mapping program to see if vandalism is tracked. While clicking around I noticed many of the "incidnets" represented on the map were "Permit Handgun Purchase". There is a dot representing an address with data included if you click on it and if you zoom in it will show you the Cul de Sac and the address with the last two numbers of the house obscured so it only gives you an approximate location. Its listed as "All Other - non-criminal" but so are domestic disturbance etc.

I don't understand if this indicates a permit to purchase issued to someone, a registered gun or what. The bottom line for me is that although the public info doesn't include the full information, I'm sure the PD database does, so does that mean officers would respond differently to a call to that address if they know there is a gun or potential for a gun in that house? Same goes for anyone looking to break in and possibly get a gun if they can figure out which house it is.

Not sure this link will work.
https://www.raidsonline.com/?address=Pilot%20Knob%20Rd%20and%20Wescott%20Rd,%20Eagan,%20MN&crimeTypes=%5b1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27%5d&startDate=30&endDate=1&zoom=9

Any thoughts.

[sprigfan]

They are showing applications for permits to purchase. My house shows up on the date I applied for my PTP.

I expected the PD to keep this info on file, but I am not pleased that they are publishing it. Even though the full address isn't given, the map location is spot on for my house.

[grimbeaver]

I see what you are looking at and yes that is a little disturbing. I'm going to guess those are issued permits to purchase. I would probably call or visit the Eagan PD and ask them about this. They are probably unaware that this data is being included in the exported data supplied to BAIR Analytics.

[BigBlue]

Contact the Chief of Police, the Mayor, and/or the City Council members. It is likely that this is an inadvertent thing just because some admin person happens to keep all the the different types of 'police activity' in the same database or record system and did not think about the fact not all of it should be published. Most folks in charge of this type of stuff would be receptive to your concerns and would work to correct the issue. I wouldn't get spun up over anything until you give them the chance to fix it and they tell you to pound sand.

BB

[xd ED]

In MN, that one may have a PTC is NOT public info; don't know about PTP, but that info being mapped is stupid, with no redeeming value or legitimate benefit.

[Andrew Rothman]

GOCRA would like to straighten this out with Eagan PD. We'll treat it as an accident right now.

I just spoke with the lieutenant on duty, and explained to him the seriousness of the issue and the urgency of correcting it. I expect a call back very shortly with a plan for the immediate takedown of the data.

[Seismic Sam]

This is a shock!! Can't find any PTP dots at 4:30, but don't know if that means the linkee no workee, or the police took it down, or what. On the bad side, it means that people can tell that you're a right wing, Tea Party extremist with assault pistols, rifle, brooms, and ping pong paddles....

On the good side, it means any criminals trolling this site know that this house is armed and they can get their nuts or face shot off (or both, in that order... ) if they try to get into that house.

[grimbeaver]

I'm sure this data is being included by accident but I can see it taking a few days for them to fix. Not only do they have to fix it on their end to stop it for the future but they have to contact BAIR Analytics and have them wipe the existing data.

Edit... wow guess I was wrong. I can't find the ones I was seeing earlier either.

[Seismic Sam]

I'm sure this data is being included by accident but I can see it taking a few days for them to fix. Not only do they have to fix it on their end to stop it for the future but they have to contact BAIR Analytics and have them wipe the existing data.

Edit... wow guess I was wrong. I can't find the ones I was seeing earlier either.

What was the label that came up when you clicked on the white dot before??

[sprigfan]

I forget the exact wording, but it was something like "permit handgun purchase"

[grimbeaver]

I forget the exact wording, but it was something like "permit handgun purchase"

Sounds about right. And the event type was "All Other - Non-Criminal".

[Andrew Rothman]

I just got off the phone with the lieutenant -- our third phone call in an hour.

He called back to tell me that they yanked that data point from the query, that it won't be back, that it was inadvertent, and that they appreciate the heads-up.

It was a big screw-up, but they handled it extremely quickly, professionally and courteously.

We wish that ALL police departments acted as well.

Thanks, yukonjasper, for noticing and calling attention to the problem.

_______________
Andrew Rothman
Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance
P. O. Box 131254
St. Paul, MN 55113
http://www.gocra.org

[jgalt]

Big thanks to:

1 - yukonjasper for pointing it out,
2 - Andrew / GOCRA for doing the legwork, and
3 - the LT with the Eagan PD for both recognizing immediately the seriousness of the problem & getting it fixed so quickly!

[hunterfreakhd]

Just a glimpse into the future.

[Evad]

Big thanks to:

1 - yukonjasper for pointing it out,
2 - Andrew / GOCRA for doing the legwork, and
3 - the LT with the Eagan PD for both recognizing immediately the seriousness of the problem & getting it fixed so quickly!

Agreed. Thanks guys!