Real-time safety data reaches the people at risk

Location tracking, sensor feeds and camera footage were once available mainly to police, emergency services and companies. New tools are giving people direct access when a fast response matters. One alerts stalking victims when a tagged offender is nearby, another maps residents’ wildfire reports, and a third uses household cameras to search for missing dogs.

South Korea’s Ministry of Justice has launched an app for stalking victims whose offenders are being electronically monitored. When a tagged offender comes within two kilometres, the app shows their location and direction of travel. Around 400 victims are currently covered. The app gives them information they can use alongside a court order, rather than leaving location data solely with law enforcement.

Wildfire Watch allows residents in Spain’s fire-prone regions to upload photos and GPS-tagged reports of a fire as soon as they see it. The reports appear on a shared live map alongside official alerts. Residents can contribute information from the ground while emergency authorities continue to provide verified guidance.

Ring has launched its Neighbours app and Search Party for Dogs feature in the UK. Pet owners can use footage from nearby doorbell and security cameras to help locate a missing dog. The feature gives existing household cameras a community use beyond package theft and home security.