According to multiple sources, the city has requested that the Seattle Police Department start zeroing in on bars, clubs, and restaurants that are considered "crime hot spots" by data-mining police reports for incidents that take place within 100 feet of any liquor license holder in Seattle. Capitol Hill business owners were told of the plan, with very little follow-up information, last night during a meeting with SPD.

Crime mapping is nothing new for law enforcement agencies—it's been happening since the dawn of crime (HAR HAR). However, this mapping system reportedly uses bars as its mapping matrix—instead of more useful search criteria, like cross streets. It also reportedly documents 911 calls placed on behalf of a bar, nighclub, or restaurant, as a negative (which nightlife advocates worry will make businesses more reluctant to call 911). And being targeted so explicitly, without explanation, is putting people on edge.

"The lieutenant [who explained the mapping system] kind of agreed that there was no real reason why it should use that search criteria instead of something as universal as cross-streets, which he said they could just as easily be using to generated the reports," said one nightlife representative, who asked to remain anonymous.

The new mapping system was reportedly requested by the city's Department of Finance and Administrative Services. An SPD official has confirmed the unusual mapping request, saying, "A different city department is interested in the data. They've requested that we begin pulling from the data that we have to combine with other data they have. That's all I know at the moment."

The mayor's office hasn't yet returned a request for comment.