Crowdsourced Geofencing Solutions – Making life easier through geofencing and crowdsourcing

It is essential to define what human security is in order to understand the concept of security. Recently there has been a lot of security breaches that have concerned people. The crime rate is increasing day by day, which raises several questions about our security standards. Crowdsourced Geofencing Solutions is a development firm that uses geofencing, crowdsourcing, and other smart device features to make life easier, more efficient, faster, more profitable, and safer. We interviewed the executives at Crowdsourced Geofencing Solutions to know more about the company and its services. Here are a few excerpts of the interview:

Tell us something about your company

Crowdsourced Geofencing Solutions LLC is a veteran-owned business created by retired Florida law enforcement officer Kevin Angell. Angell, who was an Internet Crimes Against Children Detective, left policing after his military service following the events of 9/11. He did so to explore emerging technologies like Facial Recognition, Body Worn Cameras, and Real-time smart device applications.  Events like the Route 91 shooting, Charlottesville, and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting lead him to launch CGS and employ his experiences in policing to create better technology.

Q. What are your firm's specializations?

Crowdsourced Geofencing Solutions specializes in Android/iOS app development, relational real-time databases, web portals, and emerging technology.  We take special interest in projects that use crowdsourcing or the "power of the people" and geofencing, which empowers location-based decision-making.

Q. How do your mobile solutions stand out from the crowd?

It's not that we don't have competitors in the market because we do. What we focus on is client relationships and steering our efforts toward their needs. For example, with the "See it Say it Send it" app, a few competitors boast their collection of Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR); however, they simply send emails with the user collected data. Our platform analyzes that data for better police response allows for real-time follow up and keeps the community safe through location-based alerts.

Q. Who are some of your major customers?

We have three major law enforcement partnerships across the nation. Habersham County Sheriff's Office and Habersham County Schools in Georgia were our first relationships in which we provided the "See it Say it Send it" app to schools by white labeling the technology and calling it the Raider Report.  Sheriff Joey Terrell and Superintendent Matthew Cooper were leaps and bounds ahead of the technology curve for schools and the continued relationship with their students. Buffalo County Sheriff's Office and the Kearney Police Department were huge proponents of deploying the app to vast and sometimes rural areas of central Nebraska. Those efforts lead to an almost statewide interest and have pushed the app's usage to more than 2 million users. Finally, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension rolled out the "See it Say it Send it" app during the events surrounding the George Floyd incident. The goal is to provide additional resources to the community for communicating with law enforcement, increase trust and restore integrity. 

Q. Why was LEOStoCEOS.org created, and what does it do for law enforcement?

LEOStoCEOS is a non-profit organization that empowers, supports, and educates law enforcement professionals looking to transition into entrepreneurship or business ownership. The NPO connects retired or soon-to-be-retired police officers with bookkeepers, technology specialists, attorneys, and more through a membership website. The platform continues to support them through mentorship, advisory updates, and educational videos.

Q. How did the "See something, Say something" movement become an inspiration to develop a community development app?

The "See Something, Say Something" movement was born out of the 9/11 attacks as a reminder from Federal, State, and Local law enforcement that if you see something suspicious, then you should report it to the police. The idea and the mission were great, but the vehicle to convey the information was lacking. There was an 800 number and maybe an email address but nothing mobile, nothing real-time, and certainly nothing intelligent behind the gathering of these reports. So Kevin saw an opening to employ his knowledge of criminal investigations and experience in technology. That motivated him to invest in and ultimately create the mobile application that is now used in 25 states by morning than 2.5 million users.

Q. What are some of your business development apps? Brief us about its work and benefits.

We have three major apps that are in or will be entering the market by Fall 2021. The first is the Tap Out Now app, which will revolutionize the Criminal Justice System by allowing arrestees to bail out using their phone as a behavior journal. Non-violent, typically misdemeanor offenders, can be released from jail and enrolled in the app, which tracks their location, requires facial recognition check-ins, and monitors their behavior until trial.

The second is the Parked Close app. We all are familiar with the bed and breakfast type apps that allow you to find vacation homes or short-term rentals. Now imagine that same idea for event parking. Users can advertise their empty parking spaces to concert-goers, sporting enthusiastic, or beach visitors through the app. The vacationer needs only to open the app, select where they want to back close to their venue, and make the purchase instantly, in advance.

The third is a texting platform called Waitlist Texting. From restaurants to nail salons or busy office buildings to COVID-19 vaccination centers, Waitlist Texting allows easy interaction to secure your place in line with less than 2-3 texts. Simply give your name, select your location and add any notes through text. The person coordinating your spot or reservation will receive notification, your name will appear in order on the waitlist board, and you will be notified when it's your turn.

Q. Who are your government clients?

While we cannot name all our government clients, it is easiest to say that we represent State and Local Law Enforcement, Airport Authorities, School Security Executives, and other services throughout 25 states.

Q. How do you help entrepreneurs who are thrilled to develop apps but have no funding?

Our CEO operates on two principles when considering the development of an app for an entrepreneur. The first is whether the idea is clear and concise, whether the market for the app is saturated and if there is a sustainable income model. The second is their willingness to live, breathe, and be totally consumed by their creation. Kevin pulls from his own experiences starting and maintaining apps and the investment it takes for them to be successful. 

Meet the CEO

Kevin Angell, a veteran, and a retired police officer, is the CEO of Crowdsourced Geofencing Solutions. Angell has a Master's Degree in the Administration of Security and Justice. He is currently a doctoral candidate and is concurrently taking an online computer science course from Harvard. Angell is the IT Liaison Board Member for the Georgia Alliance of School Resource Officers and Educators.

"Our company name comes from the combined use of Crowdsourcing (the gathering or dispersement of information to a large group) and Geofencing (using a smart device's location-based services) technology to provide web-based, iOS and Android-based solutions."

"In 2017, we used this combined technology to create the See it, Say it, Send it app. The result was a groundbreaking app that has revolutionized the reporting of suspicious or criminal activity by students and community members."