Reporting a crime in Fishers? There’s an app for that
FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) – Fishers police hope a new mobile phone application will help residents report crime faster and easier.
On Thursday, the Fishers Police Department unveiled its new way to communicate with the public. It’s called the Fishers Crime Watch app. Using a smartphone, residents can send tips in seconds.
“If you can get this information before you step on a scene, it’s vital,” Gebhart said. “I think law enforcement officers will embrace it because it’s usual for them.”
Here’s how it works: If you see someone acting suspicious, or doing something out of place in your neighborhood, open the app. Select a category, enter your address, take a photo and click submit.
“We as police have to find different ways to communicate with our population that we serve and protect, and a large amount of our population communicates via this technology,” Fishers Police Cpt. Ed Gebhart said.
While police are excited, the question remains whether people will actually use it. 24-Hour News 8 showed the app to Fishers residents to hear their reaction.
“It’s very easy,” Riley Thomas said. “I mean, you can click and write what you want to say, and it’s simple. Like theft from house, theft from vehicle — you can put in your address. It’s fast, like, you know, people are going to get to you as soon as possible.”
“I think this takes guess work out of it. Is this something I should report or not report, because it’s kind of like 911 lite.” Pete Girbert said.
The app took officers nine months to develop. They worked with a local creator, Auri Rahimzadeh, who built it for free.
“It was the right thing to do,” Rahimzadeh said. “It was a cool project, you know, so it speaks to the geek in me.”
He says it was designed to be PHD, also known as “push here, dummy.”
“I would use it,” Thomas said. “I mean, I think it’ll help me, my friends, and it’ll definitely improve my safety.”
Officers said this is not to replace 911. Neighbors should call 911 if they feel unsafe.
As far as fake reports, the app receives information about the device making the report, making it possible for officers to find the user. If you’re interested in downloading the app, click here.
