The app is part of the "See Something, Send Something" campaign that encourages citizens to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement when they see someone abandon a package or a bag at airports or train stations or witness other forms of suspicious activity.
"If you see something that may be linked to terrorism, send something," State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico said. "Your tip could provide valuable information that could prevent a tragedy.”
Officials said the new tool is meant to supplement methods used to relay information to police, pointing out that all tips collected will be evaluated by security experts who will, when warranted, parcel them out to appropriate law enforcement agencies. Officials stressed the app is not intended to replace emergency 911 calls.
The app was announced on the same day that the U.S. State Department issued an unusual worldwide travel alert, citing what the agency called increased threats from al-Qaida, Boko Haram and ISIS. The alert suggested copycats could become inspired by the recent attacks in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey and Mali.
"U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation," the alert stated. "Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places. Exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events."
Delaware County Undersheriff Craig DuMond said he was pleased to learn that the state police are promoting the "See Something, Send Something" app, noting his agency has had its own mobile alert app available for about two years.
"Our intelligence experts tell us that are best defense is the people out on the streets, reporting the things that they see," DuMond said. "We need to be vigilant. Groups such as ISIS are actively trying to recruit sympathizers and wannabes on social media networks."
One frequent international traveler, Hank Nicols of Cooperstown, said he has mixed reactions to government officials urging people to put such apps on their phones.
Noting he is a former police officer, Nicols said that investigators always appreciate having more information to help them chase down leads. But the jarring impact on society from having a sense of security shattered is the downside of such a focus, he said.
"It's a delicate balance," said Nicols, a professor in the graduate program for international educators at the State University at Buffalo. "I'm glad the governor and the state police are taking these extra steps to protect us. And I'm sad that we are in this constant state of anxiety."
In Cooperstown, Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin said the threat from copy cats and "lone wolves" may be at least as significant on the domestic front as organized groups of terrorists.
"It only takes one person to create an act of that nature," Devlin said. "The lone wolf factor is the big unknown."
The new app is available for free to iPhone and Android phone users. Officials said the service is already available in Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The app can be downloaded from the following link: www.ny.gov/programs/see-something-send-something
©2015 The Daily Star (Oneonta, N.Y.), Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.