A day after Calgary Transit launched a special Google application for trip planning, the Calgary Police Service has introduced an online map outlining crimes in the city.

The interactive map, using Microsoft Virtual Earth, allows users to search specific crimes in communities across Calgary for the last six months.

"What we are hoping from this is that the community members will continue to be engaged with the Calgary Police Service, said Supt. Katie McLellan. "With this enhanced visual awareness, we hope that they will continue to call the Calgary Police Service about any specific behaviour — criminal in nature —so that we can ensure that we have deployed adequate in the appropriate places.

"It's for that awareness; it's certainly not to instil fear in anyone."

The map, launched on Wednesday, shows limited information about each crime due to privacy reasons and does not display exact addresses.

Calgary police already have an online crime reporting system for non-emergency offences and thefts, and loss of property damage of less than $5,000.

On Tuesday, Calgary Transit signed on to Google Transit, which allows people to plug in their point of departure and destination, and receive detailed public transit trip plans.