Public Safety App Uptake and Crime Rates in Senegalese Urban and Rural Residents: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Public safety apps have gained increasing attention in recent years as a tool for enhancing community engagement with law enforcement and crime reporting. The mixed methods approach includes quantitative data collection through surveys to assess app usage frequency and qualitative analysis of interviews to understand user perspectives and experiences. Findings indicate that while there is higher uptake among urban residents (75%), rural users report lower engagement, suggesting a need for tailored community outreach strategies. The mixed methods approach highlights the importance of understanding both quantitative data on app usage and qualitative insights into user experiences to inform public safety initiatives effectively. Recommendation is to implement targeted educational campaigns in rural areas to increase app uptake and, consequently, improve crime reporting mechanisms. public safety apps, Senegal, urban-rural disparities, crime rates, mixed methods study