A map of Hamilton County, TN.(Koordinates)

Data - when properly collected and interpreted - can paint a picture of what is happening, and why, in a community.

Jennifer Baggett - for years, an analyst with the Chattanooga Police Department - recently started a new job as data analyst for Hamilton County Government.

She’s gathering and studying data on overdoses, homelessness and crime for a new monthly report titled “Hamilton Counted” - the first report expected next month.

I spoke with Jennifer - and David Roddy, former Chattanooga Police Chief and now Senior Advisor to Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp.

Jennifer Baggett(Olivia Ross / Chattanooga Times Free Press)David Roddy(David Roddy)