Ask HN: How can I make a heat map from Craigslist lost and found?

Am I looking for APIs? Is any programming language good enough? I've known a little python.

I've seen a few clever heat maps on google maps, but not many. Is it a difficult craft?

Seems like it would go: Once a day get the previous day's adds. Scrape data. Fill in pixels. Viola. Done.

I think I would find hotspots of theivery and loose pets. But I'll never know if I can't make the tool to see what I'm looking for.

Please help by pointing the way to the right words and things. <3