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CANTON ‒ Ohio has a new system for reporting suspicious activity that uses a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence to collect tips from the public about potential threats of violence.
Ohio Homeland Security‘s online system, Safeguard Ohio, allows users to upload video, audio, and photos while giving them the option to remain anonymous. It replaced an online reporting method that required individuals to fill out a form online.
Initial results show the innovation resulting in more tips, said Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which houses Ohio Homeland Security.
Before Safeguard Ohio’s soft launch in early August, Homeland Security got 25 to 30 tips per month. The number tripled even before the existence of the AI-powered software was announced at a Sept. 12 press conference, Wilson said.
Submitted information goes first to a Homeland Security analyst.
“This is why the AI function is so important, because the Homeland Security analyst goes through and basically assesses the credibility or the validity of the tip,” Wilson said.
“So it’s key in that assessment that we get enough information to determine, you know, is this a valid threat or is this just somebody who is phoning in a false threat? Is this somebody who is just mad at their neighbor for something?”
The old system’s static form did not have the prompting that the new interactive portal provides. Analysts had to rely solely on the information provided.
Wilson said the advantage of the artificial intelligence system is it listens to the information submitted by the user, then gives back a predetermined list of questions or prompts designed to solicit information needed to verify the threat, validate it, and get it to the proper local, state, or federal law enforcement agency.
“The AI is trained to keep asking questions until the person reporting says they have no more information about the incident,” Mark Porter, Ohio Homeland Security executive director, said in a prepared statement.
“Better information leads to better investigations,” said Wilson, a former Clark County prosecutor. He said one small detail can be crucial to breaking a case.
“The reason we designed this was because if you look at every terrorist act, every mass violent act that we’ve seen in the country … when you peel back the layers as part of the investigation, there’s always somebody who comes forward, (saying) ‘Well, you know what? I knew something. I saw their manifesto. Hey, I saw where they were saying some stuff on the internet that really caused me concern. Hey, I noticed that they had bought all these component parts for a bomb,'” Wilson said.
“Somebody always knows something, but for one reason or another, that information doesn’t get to where it needs to get to prevent the act of violence or the terrorism.”
He said 99% of incoming reports are going to be screened out.
“There’s just not going to be anything,” Wilson said. “That’s just the way it works. What we’re protecting against is that 1% that results in catastrophe. That’s what this app is looking to catch. In any situation where you had an attack or where there’s been an incident of mass violence, as you do the investigation, it almost always comes down to a failure of communication or a failure of information. This tool is designed to protect against that.
“Is it 100% foolproof now? Will stuff still slip through? Yes. But it’s our responsibility as the government to arm people with tools that they can use to help keep themselves, their neighbors and their community safe because ultimately that’s really all of our responsibility.”
Safeguard Ohio is not a substitute for calling 911 and should not be used during an emergency. However, the app’s AI can identify situations requiring an urgent response and will prompt individuals to call 911. It can also provide a link to Google Maps to identify the location of a threat.
Wilson said the system was developed for about $250,000 by software company Vigiliti.
He said Ohio is the only state in the country to use artificial intelligence in this way.
Those completing a suspicious activity report via Safeguard Ohio will receive a unique QR code specific to that incident that will allow them to add follow-up information to the report after its initial submission. Safeguard Ohio can take reports in 10 different languages besides English: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Haitian, Hindi, Nepalese, Somali, Spanish and Yiddish.
Users can select from eight categories to report a tip, 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,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a prepared statement. “This new app simplifies the process to get information to law enforcement quickly and conveniently.”
Safeguard Ohio may be found online at Safeguard.ohio.gov.
Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.
