Patriot Radar

Inspiration

We were inspired by the crowdsourcing features of apps like Citizen and Waze and recognized the need for a system to keep the George Mason University (GMU) community informed about issues on campus. Our goal was to create a platform that empowers students, faculty, and staff to actively participate in enhancing campus safety through real-time information sharing.

What it does

Patriot Radar allows users to report incidents that occur on campus, providing a platform for real-time community engagement. The app features a live feed of incident reports and integrates map functionalities through AWS to display the locations of reported events, keeping the GMU community informed and connected.

How we built it

We built Patriot Radar using a combination of technologies and tools, including GitHub Copilot for code assistance, and a tech stack comprising JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Python. The backend is powered by Flask. Throughout the development process, we utilized Patriot AI to assist with code generation and problem-solving, which enhanced our efficiency and effectiveness in building the application.

Challenges we ran into

One of the main challenges was ensuring seamless real-time data updates and integrating AWS map functionalities with dynamic incident data. Balancing the technical complexities with an intuitive user interface also required careful consideration and iteration.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We're proud of successfully developing a platform that enhances campus safety and fosters community involvement. Implementing real-time features and achieving effective map integration were significant technical accomplishments. The positive feedback from initial user testing affirmed the app's usability and impact.

What we learned

Throughout this project, we learned the importance of leveraging modern technologies to balance technical complexity with user experience. We gained valuable insights into real-time data handling and the integration of third-party services. Effective collaboration and communication within our team were crucial in overcoming challenges and achieving our objectives.

What's next for Patriot Radar

Looking ahead, we plan to expand Patriot Radar's features by incorporating push notifications for critical alerts and developing an admin dashboard for report moderation. We aim to enhance the app's scalability to support multiple campuses and explore partnerships with campus security teams. Our vision is to make Patriot Radar an indispensable tool for campus safety and community engagement across universities.