Austin police launch nonemergency reporting system powered by AI

The new system accepts reports, including:

• Minor assaults, excluding domestic violence;

• Threats, excluding domestic violence;

• Burglaries, not involving fires or arson;

• Theft, excluding vehicles and license plates, firearms, explosives, or prescriptions;

• Lost or missing property, excluding vehicle license plates, firearms or prescriptions;

• Damaged property and graffiti;

• Fraud;

• Harassment;

• Counterfeiting and forgery;

• Identity theft;

• Illegal credit or debit card use;

• Noncriminal child custody issues;

• Trespassing; and

• Shoplifting reports.

The reporting service is accessible in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Hindi, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and more.

The nonemergency reporting program was launched through a partnership between the APD and the records management software company Versaterm Public Safety. Versaterm provides services to the APD through a five-year, $2.4 million contract approved in September 2021.

APD officials said there are plans to expand use of Versaterm's Case Service system after the first phase of the new system's rollout.