GIS-Pro 2026

This panel discussion explores how the City of Wauwatosa has leveraged GIS to strengthen public safety operations and decision-making. Panelists will discuss how emerging “big data” sources offer powerful insights but also introduce challenges that GIS analysts must carefully manage. The conversation will highlight how automated vehicle locator (AVL) data extends beyond basic tracking to support performance measurement, deployment strategies, and response optimization—while acknowledging its limitations.

Attendees will also learn how GIS enables real-time situational awareness during critical incidents like flood responses and crash investigations. Finally, the session will showcase how the Wauwatosa Police Department’s innovative use of GIS in policy development helped secure federal funding to expand and enhance these efforts.

Keywords: Drone, AVL, Flood, Police, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Emergency Response


Panelists
Dominick Ratkowski, Crime Analyst, Wauwatosa Police Department, Milwaukee, WI - USA
Eric Piza, Lipman Family Professor and Director of Crime Analysis Initiatives, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University
David Cefalu, Detective, Wauwatosa Police Department, Milwaukee, WI - USA
Paul Vepraskas, Geographic Information Systems Manager, City of Wauwatosa, Wauwatosa, WI - USA