Mayor Eric Adams has announced that New York City will collaborate with the crime-tracking app Citizen to provide users with location-based real-time public safety alerts. Public safety agencies, including the NYPD, Fire Department, and Emergency Management, will have access to a portal to watch footage shared by Citizen users. This initiative leverages Citizen’s partnership with Axon’s Fusus platform, enhancing law enforcement’s ability to request video footage during incidents. Users can opt-out from sharing videos directly with police, but all posted videos remain publicly accessible. The NYC Public Safety account on Citizen will notify users about safety, weather emergencies, and major incidents based on their location. Citizen allows users to report incidents, share videos, and broadcast live, with alerts sent to nearby devices within seconds of a 911 call or report. While law enforcement can access data with a warrant, Citizen also provides expedited data access during emergencies. Originally launched as “Vigilante” in 2016, Citizen has faced criticism for potentially increasing community fear and controversial use cases but continues to evolve its safety-focused services.
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