A new app called "See Something Send Something" has been launched by Louisiana public safety officials aims to connect Louisiana citizens to criminal intelligence centers nationwide if they have something suspicious to report.

Public safety officials from  the Louisiana State Police, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association (LSA) and the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police gathered at the Louisiana State Analytical & Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE) at State Police Headquarters to announce the launch of the program.

The system takes geo-tagged suspicious activity reports and location-based messages and sends them to intelligence centers to be analyzed

"See Something Send Something" is a free smartphone application which allows someone to report suspicious activity that can then be sent to law enforcement.

State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson says,

"In order for law enforcement to truly be successful, we must have the cooperation and support of the public we serve. This capability allows citizens to directly contribute to ensuring safer communities by reporting suspicious incidents to Fusion Center personnel who are trained to evaluate, analyze, disseminate and request action from law enforcement partners across Louisiana."

GOHSEP Director Kevin Davis added, "We all know how important information from the public can be during a crisis.  This app will help someone give emergency personnel the information they need during a time when every minute could be critical."

LSA Director Mike Ranatza said,

"The reporting of suspicious incidents and the intelligence gained from those reports are imperative to keeping our parishes safe.  I am encouraged by the capabilities of this reporting tool which allows local citizens to report suspicious activity, then disseminates that information to deputies on the front line."

The service which is provided by Mobile Witness, Inc. uses privacy protection software for safeguarding the integrity of tips and citizens' personal information.  The system allows LA-SAFE to engage citizens without tracking location or storing of personal information.

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