COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Ohio Homeland Security has introduced Safeguard Ohio, a groundbreaking web application designed to enhance the reporting of suspicious activities through artificial intelligence.

Developed in collaboration with Vigiliti, the app allows users to anonymously upload photos, videos, and audio to report incidents across eight categories, including drug-related activity, human trafficking and school threats. Cyber incidents must be still reported through the Ohio Cyber Integration Center.

Governor Mike DeWine highlighted the app’s significance in threat prevention.

“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.,” he said. “This new app simplifies the process to get information to law enforcement quickly and conveniently.”

The information submitted via the app is sent in real-time to the Statewide Terrorism and Analysis Crime Center, ensuring prompt review and notification to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. The app’s multimedia capabilities, according to Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety Andy Wilson, make it extremely helpful for law enforcement.

“More and more people these days — especially our younger generation — don’t like to talk on the phone,” he said. “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.”

Safeguard Ohio is not intended to replace emergency calls to 911, but its AI can prompt users to call 911 if an urgent response is necessary.

“The AI-infused prompts are essential components of this new system. We will get the high-quality intelligence we need to act on a tip through this new system,’ Mark Porter, OHS Executive Director, said. “The AI is trained to keep asking questions until the person reporting says they have no more information about the incident.”

As the first app of its kind in the U.S. to use AI for criminal justice tip reporting, Safeguard Ohio supports reports in 11 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish. Users receive a unique QR code to add follow-up information after submitting an initial report.

The app is free to download and can be accessed at safeguard.ohio.gov.