In 2025, public safety technology will be a spending priority for cities and counties

Local governments are expected to spend more on public safety in 2025 than in years past, says Alex Caraballo, Director at IPC Global. His firm is a systems integrator, business intelligence and data analytics provider and value-added reseller (VAR) of several platforms. “Spending will most likely increase as agencies gradually adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. In fact, many agencies already have the funding allocated for these technologies, yet many are still figuring out how to strategically implement them, coordinate with their state-level agencies, and close AI-readiness gaps within both their workforces and operational data.”

Caraballo tells Co-op Solutions that priorities of cities and counties often define which public safety products and services are most in demand. He says local governments within border states that have high levels of immigration prioritize intelligence and surveillance systems. He notes that this technology can help security teams monitor and manage activity effectively. He outlines the following additional applications:

• Major cities focus on crime prevention technologies to address higher population densities and associated risks. 

• Urban and rural counties, often constrained by limited emergency response resources, prioritize technologies that improve automation and streamline resource allocation for more efficient emergency management.

Local government managers should aim to achieve quick wins as they acquire new public safety technology and services, Caraballo says. “By assessing the unique needs of their jurisdiction, officials can identify use cases that offer high impact with minimal risk.” He notes that technologies focused on fraud detection or emergency response optimization often provide significant rewards with relatively low risk. “Successfully implementing these quick wins can pave the way for broader adoption of additional use cases, while also strengthening the agency’s position to secure more funding and gain greater leadership support.”

The IPC Global executive says it is important that city-county officials prioritize data cleaning as they upgrade their communities' public safety efforts. “High-quality, well-structured data serves as the foundation for many advanced technologies and only maximizes their effectiveness and impact. In 2025, officials should evaluate their data quality, governance and integration practices, addressing any gaps that may hinder the successful implementation of AI. Additionally, technology is only as effective as the staff trained to use it. Organizations must invest in widespread AI literacy and training programs to ensure that their teams can fully leverage these tools in their work.”

Caraballo says AI is poised to transform public safety performance. He predicts that fraud detection will stand out as a critical use case for AI in public safety. “While the 2024 data is not yet available, recent U.S. Federal Trade Commission data shows that consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, marking the first time that fraud losses have reached that benchmark.”

Caraballo tells how technology speeds up the fraud detection process: “By analyzing vast datasets at unmatched speed, AI can uncover patterns and anomalies that might otherwise go unnoticed. For instance, AI can quickly flag suspicious behavior in grants, claims and financial transactions, enabling analysts to intervene before significant harm occurs. This not only streamlines agency operations but also protects communities by safeguarding public funds from exploitation.”

Caraballo’s firm offers an inFormed by Data program. It enables users to analyze publicly available datasets.

OMNIA Partners, who sponsors this page, offers a robust portfolio of cooperative contracts in the public procurement space. The firm lists numerous cooperative contracts under the phrase “public safety.”