Surprise has launched a new mobile application, Surprise Area Focused on Encampments reporting, that allows community members to submit non-emergency reports to the city about homeless families, individuals or encampments that may benefit from outreach services.

SAFE Reporting uses geo-location and a series of simple questions to allow users to submit these non-emergency reports in less than two minutes.

Users can also upload photos and access the Surprise Community Resource Guide, which contains contact information for assistance with food, shelter, homelessness, domestic violence and many other local resources. Users can choose to submit a report anonymously or to provide their contact information and receive a follow-up response.

City staff reviews each report and is able to provide the vetted information to a local street outreach provider, who can help connect those in need of services to housing support or shelter.

This new reporting system allows the city to partner with community members and effectively respond to reports by coordinating and dispatching outreach services to identified locations. City officials said the data collected from SAFE Reporting will also be used to evaluate and strengthen ongoing homelessness response strategies in Surprise.

The SAFE Reporting application is available through the ESRI QuickCapture app that is available for download in both the Apple and Android app stores. For instructions on how to load the SAFE Reporting module to the Quick Capture app, visit safe.surpriseaz.gov.

For any additional support with the SAFE Reporting application, email SAFEReporting@surpriseaz.gov.