The Ohio Department of Public Safety has officially launched Safeguard Ohio, a groundbreaking tool that makes it easier for residents to report criminal activity. The app, now live at safeguard.ohio.gov, is the first in the nation to use artificial intelligence to help process and refine anonymous tips.
Safeguard Ohio is designed to protect both communities and individuals by strengthening how credible threats are identified and addressed. It allows users to submit tips, photos, and videos either anonymously or with their contact information. Reports can cover a wide range of concerns, including:
- Terrorism
- Child exploitation
- Drug activity
- School threats
Once a tip is submitted, an AI-powered chat guides users through a series of questions to ensure the information is as specific and useful as possible.
“What we are looking for is the 1%, the 1% that is a valid, real threat,” explained Andy Wilson, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. “The AI function helps us get the quality and specificity we need.”
Officials say many major crimes have warning signs, but they often go unreported. Wilson pointed out that after tragedies, it’s not uncommon for someone to admit they “knew” or had seen a manifesto or heard troubling comments. Safeguard Ohio aims to bridge that gap by making it easier and safer for people to speak up.
Mark Porter, Executive Director of Ohio Homeland Security, said the AI system is structured to always ask the basics: who, what, where, when, and why before tailoring questions to the type of tip being reported.
The platform is already making a difference. Before launch, Ohio received about 30 tips per month. In the first month after rollout, tips tripled to 90.
“It’s everybody’s responsibility, our obligation as citizens to look out for our neighbors and ourselves,” Wilson said.
