CityConnect Lets Local Law Enforcement Connect to Communities

PublicEngines, a provider of cloud-based solutions that facilitate crime analysis, supply actionable intelligence and increase community engagement for law enforcement and governments, announced the CityConnect mobile application. CityConnect is a fully-integrated mobile application that allows agencies to inform, connect, and engage with their local community through their own agency-branded mobile application.

Law enforcement agencies have continued to adopt social media tools at a high rate; a recent survey from PublicEngines showed that almost 95 percent of agencies have a website, and nearly 40 percent have a Twitter feed while 70 percent have a Facebook page.  However, the adoption of technology by the public is even higher, and the majority of mobile phone users now have smartphones. CityConnect brings together all agency social media tools, plus PublicEngines’ popular services including CrimeReports mapping, TipSoft anonymous tipping and agency alerts into a single mobile application. It allows the public to stay up-to-date on local crime information and communicate crime information, unsafe conditions, and tips back to law enforcement officials any time, anywhere.

“Law enforcement agencies are always looking for ways to effectively engage with the public directly. As smartphones are now in the majority of people’s hands, it makes sense for agencies to have an app that makes communicating with the public as simple as possible,” said William Kilmer, CEO of PublicEngines. “The goal of any law enforcement agency is to prevent, reduce and solve crime, and CityConnect provides the public with all the necessary tools to help law enforcement accomplish this mission.”

Features of CityConnect include:

• Custom branded application maintained and supported by PublicEngines
• Social Media ready with links to any major service used by the agency, including:
  • Facebook page
  • Twitter feeds
  • YouTube videos
  • Flickr
  • Blog
  • Agency Website
• Built in applications to:
• Agency generated alerts
• Crime alerts page
• CrimeReports map
• TipSoft anonymous tips
• Alerts
• Report a Problem

“CityConnect is the Swiss Army knife of law enforcement tools,” added Kilmer. “In addition, it’s branded as the Agency’s own application, so they can more effectively reach out to their community. And, with the addition of Tipsoft for tips, agency alerts and the Report a Problem features, we anticipate agency’s benefiting from a highly informed and engaged public who can report virtually any problem.”

The CityConnect app will available for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices in December 2012.  For more information and to view a video on how CityConnect can increase information and communication with the public, visit: http://www.publicengines.com.