'See Something, Send Something' App Launches In Georgia

ATLANTA, GA — The state of Georgia has rolled out a smartphone app that allows residents to share tips about possible criminal activity with local law enforcement personnel. Gov. Nathan Deal on Wednesday announced the launch of See Something, Send Something, which allows citizens to report suspicious activity and "join in the fight against terrorism and criminal activity."

“As technology continues to drastically change our world, public safety remains a top priority,” said Deal. “While we work to make our state a safer place to live, work and raise a family, Georgia citizens and law enforcement must cooperate to deter crime and report suspected terrorism within our communities. This launch of See Something, Send Something is the latest step in ensuring that Georgia is not only the No. 1 state for business, but also the safest state to call home."

See Something, Send Something allows a person to capture a photo of suspicious activity or send in information through written text. Information received in the app is sent directly to the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center where the tips can be evaluated and provided to law enforcement across the state as needed.

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The app is available at no cost for iPhone and Android phone users, as well as iPad users. The Georgia Department of Public Safety, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency have led efforts to implement the system in Georgia.

"No matter how hard we work to ensure that our communities are safe, inevitably some people will seek to do harm to others,” said DPS Commissioner Col. Mark W. McDonough. “One way citizens can help keep our cities safe is to assist law enforcement by immediately making reports of suspicious activity, and this application provides an easy way to do just that."

The service, provided by My Mobile Witness, Inc., uses privacy protection software to safeguard users’ personal information and the integrity of tips. The system allows citizens to engage with GISAC without tracking locations or storing any personal information. Submitted tips are immediately removed from the mobile device and purged from the My Mobile Witness system following delivery to GISAC.

Please note the system is not intended to be used during emergency situations, as those incidents are best handled by calling 9-1-1. Georgia is the 10th state to use the See Something, Send Something platform. The service is already available in Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. You can download the app by visiting this website.

Images via Georgia Department of Public Safety