New crime reporting app released by West Palm Beach Police ahead of SunFest

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — If you see something, then you should post something! That’s the message the West Palm Beach Police Department wants to get out as they roll out a new app ahead of Sunfest this weekend.

The app is called SaferWatch anyone can download it onto their phones for free and text photos, videos, or even live stream directly to the police.

“The timing could not have been better, we are going to have a ton of people enjoying our waterfront, and almost everyone has a cell phone,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderley was in attendance and he said he hopes the app will also help law enforcement address one of his biggest concerns which is violent crimes.

“When you look at the technology we have and the people that actually engage in reporting those crimes you have 60% of people reporting those crimes but 40 percent are not,” said Adderley. “We are working to build on those 40 percent and this technology should help us do that.”