The Benefits of Using Mobile Applications to Improve Citizen Security
Tags: security, application, mobile, development
Published: 2023-11-06 07:29:40

Mobile applications to improve citizen security, often developed by a reputable **[mobile app development company](https://www.sparkouttech.com/mobile-application-development/)**, are already part of the everyday landscape. And if in many cases they were born as complements to the crime prevention system, they later took on a life of their own to cover other aspects that also contribute to citizen security. Thus, they are not only used to report public safety incidents or dangerous situations. In addition, they provide weather or traffic information and even allow municipal procedures to be carried out.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/iiqudkkbhx376bofxcnn.png)
**What are mobile applications to improve citizen security?**
Before continuing, let's review what is meant by citizen security. Citizen security is a process that aims to eliminate or reduce threats to public safety.

However, it also includes other aspects of life in the city, such as access to justice, health or education, the enjoyment of public spaces and the right to enjoy a healthy environment. So much so, that citizen security is recognized as a fundamental human right.
Local authorities take citizen security very seriously, since demands against insecurity top the agenda of all governments. But we are also facing a paradigm shift, since concern for citizen security goes beyond the repression of crime, to contribute to the construction of safer and more sustainable societies.

In this sense, new technologies and artificial intelligence have made it possible to take a great step forward in these policies. In fact, in a hyperconnected society, mobile applications to improve citizen security could not be absent.

**How are mobile applications used to improve citizen security?**
Many cities considered smart or on the way to becoming so are adopting mobile applications to improve citizen security. 

Some cases may be:

Reporting public safety incidents or dangerous situations, such as improperly parked cars, water leaks or potholes. These reports can help authorities identify problems and resolve them quickly.
Real-time public safety information, such as weather alerts, search alerts or traffic information.

Quick communication with public security services such as police, firefighters or ambulances in case of an emergency. Thanks to geolocation technology, they provide a precise location to facilitate faster arrival.

Monitoring the environment, reporting suspicious behavior or monitoring your home remotely.
Training and safety tips, such as first aid instructions or tips to prevent theft.

Practical cases of applications to improve citizen security
Going into practice, we can mention some mobile applications to improve citizen security developed by different cities in our country.

Buenos Aires City. It has a total of eleven mobile applications, several of which apply to improving citizen security. For example, BA How I Get There shows how to travel from one point in the city to another using different means of transportation or on foot. BA 147 allows requests to be made to the city government. Meanwhile, BA Subte reports the status of the subway in real time and how to travel by this means of transportation.

Mendoza. It developed the Community Alarm application, which replaces the community alarm buttons with an application that activates the alert mechanism and allows the immediate movement of mobile phones. It has georeferencing to facilitate arrival.

Isidro Casanova. In this city of Greater Buenos Aires, residents have one of the mobile applications to improve citizen security. It is called Neighbor Alert V3 and it is a free downloadable application that allows neighbors to be intercommunicated. Although it is still in the trial period, the alert reaches all users of the application. In addition, it activates the community alarm closest to the site from which an incident is reported.

Quilmes. Another populous city that developed the Quilmes Alert App. It is downloaded for free. It is configured with user data and used in conjunction with the city's community alarms. For example, you have options to turn on the floodlight, make a report to the emergency center, or call for help.

**Benefits of Citizen Security Apps**
We have just mentioned just four of the thousands of mobile applications to improve citizen security in the country and in the world.

In general, the benefits of mobile applications to improve citizen security go beyond the prevention and suppression of crime, although they are closely related to security systems.

Perhaps their main virtue is that they encourage civic participation and the involvement of citizens in the construction of collective security. In fact, this is a central concept within security policies.

In addition, they are very useful since they allow control over municipal authorities that forces them to improve their efficiency and respond to the concerns raised by citizens.

**More efficient communication between citizens and authorities**
Mobile applications to improve citizen security, often developed by a professional **[mobile application development company](https://www.sparkouttech.com/mobile-application-development/)**, allow citizens to report incidents, receive alerts in real-time, and communicate directly with security services. Other features are related to transportation services, such as indicating arrival and departure times or traffic status.

This can help better coordination between different actors and a faster response to emergencies.

**Crime Prevention**
By providing safety tips, updates on the latest crime incidents and information on risk areas, they help citizens better plan their trips.

Additionally, authorities can use these apps to issue warnings and encourage citizens to report suspected criminal activity.

**Greater feeling of security with mobile applications to improve citizen security**
According to the government of the city of Buenos Aires, the 2021 Crime Map reveals the lowest statistics since 1995, when this tool began to be used. In fact, during 2021 crime rates decreased between 50% and 26%.

However, according to the Torcuato Di Tella University Victimization Survey of March 2023, 23% of households suffered at least one crime against people in the last year,

It was shown that mobile applications to improve citizen security reduce the feeling of insecurity by generating trust in authorities and contributing to greater civic participation and a better quality of life for everyone.