Crime Drop Linked To Data Monitoring

Cameron's top commanders did not have any "eureka!" moments, but they did some things they would not have in the past, officials said. They made sure the county's social services department would be contacted about the man at the library, and they put patrol officers on the lookout for the stalking suspect.

"I tell people that every case we're on is a big case," Cameron said. "They do a good job on that case, we may be able to prevent another case."

A Washington Post reporter was allowed to attend the CompStat meeting on the condition that suspects and victims not be identified.

Initially, Cameron said, deputies somewhat resisted CompStat, perceiving it as a waste of time or too much micromanagement. Their attitudes have changed as they have seen the program's effectiveness, he said.

Cameron's push for data-driven policing has earned him recognition across the state. The sheriff won the first Security Integration Award this summer from Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) for his work on CompStat.

Two representatives from Charles attended the recent CompStat meeting, and Cameron said he had fielded inquiries from Calvert.

"I'm excited about that, and I'll tell you why: You could have the southern region talking about crime," Cameron said. "We're really looking at crime unlike we did before."