AI is helping report crimes in Ohio in real time.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30, Ohio’s Director of Public Safety Andy Wilson said the state feels like a pioneer in this space.
He said up until now, people were having to go to the Ohio Department of Public Safety website to fill out a form to report a crime tip.
They hope that using an app on your phone will appeal to more people, including younger kids.
“As you look historically at terror attacks or incidents of mass violence ... the majority of the time, they find that somebody knew something,” Wilson said.
Many have heard the saying “if you see something, say something,” now you can send something through an app.
When reporting it through a form online, Wilson said there was no ability for officials to immediately ask follow-up questions.
The AI chatbot in the “Safeguard Ohio” app will ask follow-up questions, and if it’s a credible threat, law enforcement in that area will be notified.
“Let’s say you came across a manifesto. You can take pictures of that manifesto and upload it to us so we can actually see what it is that you’re seeing,” Wilson said.
In New York, the U.S. Secret Service said it dismantled a massive hidden telecom network across the area that could have crippled cell towers, jammed 911 calls, and flooded networks with chaos.
Wilson said Safeguard Ohio could have helped.
“I promise you somebody in that criminal enterprise, or somebody who lives with somebody in that criminal enterprise ... probably had information about what was going on,” Wilson said.
He said if you are witnessing an actual emergency, you do not need to call 911. The app is not a substitute for that.
But if the AI chatbot determines it’s an emergency, it will prompt you to call 911.
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