Ohio Homeland Security (OHS) has launched a suspicious activity reporting system powered by artificial intelligence to help residents submit more detailed and actionable tips to law enforcement.
The rollout of the system replaces the state’s previous web form and routes submissions directly to the Statewide Terrorism Analysis and Crime Center, which reviews tips around the clock, according to a press release.
Developed by OHS and its partner Vigiliti, the Safeguard Ohio app guides users through targeted prompts. It supports photo, video, and audio uploads so that residents can report anonymously and receive a unique QR code to add follow-up details after an initial submission.
OHS said that the platform supports 10 languages in addition to English and offers eight reporting categories, including: drug-related activity, human trafficking, terrorism, school threats, and crimes against children.
“Events that threaten the safety of Ohioans can be hard to predict, but they can be prevented with help from timely, detailed tips from the public,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in a statement. “This new app simplifies the process to get information to law enforcement quickly and conveniently.”
Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said enabling multimedia uploads should yield better information.
“More and more people these days — especially our younger generation — don’t like to talk on the phone,” said Wilson. “This new reporting method will result in more detailed information being shared with the authorities. That’s exactly what we want. Better information leads to better investigations.”
“The AI-infused prompts are essential components of this new system,” OHS Executive Director Mark Porter said. “We will get the high-quality intelligence we need to act on a tip … The AI is trained to keep asking questions until the person reporting says they have no more information about the incident.”
OHS also said that Safeguard Ohio is the first criminal justice tip-reporting app in the country to use AI in this manner, and that the system is live statewide. A short video walkthrough is available to help residents understand how to enter information into the system.