Insights

Ring receives and responds to government demands (i.e., legally valid and binding requests for information from law enforcement agencies such as search warrants, subpoenas and court orders).

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Challenge

Launch a Web application that complements Ring's ecosystem of products and enables law enforcement to play a pivotal role in enhancing neighborhood safety and investigations.

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Summary

Ring launched Neighborhoods, a new network in the Ring app, to help local law enforcement better connect with their communities.

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Roles

UX Design, User Researcher, Copywriting, Creative Director

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Background

While Ring Video Doorbells and Cams help protect users’ homes by creating a ‘Ring of Security’ around their property, the free, in-app Neighborhoods tool secures the community as a whole by enabling neighbors to share crime-related information with one another.

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With the Neighborhoods Portal, police are able to see all the crime-related alerts and videos that are shared by homeowners in their jurisdiction.

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The Ring Police Portal is segmented into “alert zones,” or geographic divisions of the city from which the portal will send alerts to police personnel.

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The portal also allows law enforcement to post their own safety alerts that are sent to residents’ smartphones in real-time.

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When a crime or suspicious activity takes place, police can also send a request to owners of Ring devices to share their video feed during that date and time.

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With these new partnerships with local police authorities, Ring continues to be a proven leader in crime prevention in communities across the country.

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Features

1. Read Receipt: Confirming that police saw a given post.
2. Need Further Info: Asking for residents to email the police, call the police, or share footage with police on Neighbors or via email.
3. Provide Service: Informing residents that police will respond to a post.
4. Tips: Telling residents that they should call the police, animal control, or another relevant department regarding a post.
5. Updates/Resolved: Providing updates on a police investigation, or informing residents that a suspect has been identified or arrested.
6. Ring Info: Suggesting that people should refer their friends and family to the Neighbors or post more on Neighbors.

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Community Outreach

Provided templates and educational materials for police departments to utilize at their discretion to help them keep their communities informed about their efforts on Neighbors.

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Some of the 46 standardized responses include:

• Good Afternoon, I’m sorry to see that you were victimized and that you have waited so long to hear back from a detective. Could you please email me your name, case number, and telephone number to [EMAIL]? I would like to reach out to my counterpart in the [DEPARTMENT] to check on the status of your case. In the meantime, we may also have someone visit your home to conduct a no-cost security survey, if you are interested.
• Can you share your video as well? If not on this forum you can send it to [EMAIL]
• Thank you everyone for your tips. A warrant has been issued for Bob Jones, 31 years of age, last known address in Los Angeles. If you know the whereabouts of Mr. Jones, please contact [NAME]. Thank you.

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Home feed

Requesting videos from the neighborhood

Mobile Support was important

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Results

Interested cities and police departments contacted Ring for more information and to request participation in the Neighbors program.

The Application is free and counts over 50+ local police departments who are now partners.

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Thanks Ring Team!