Central Alert wins Rep. Sydney Kamlager Congressional App Challenge in California’s 37th District

When asked what inspired the creation of Central Alert, the student said, “The data we collect mirrors the world’s priorities. Conversely, missing data can be wielded as a means of suppression. Marcus Garvey once wrote that “a people without knowledge of their past history is like a tree without roots.” Likewise, a community devoid of data to substantiate its resistance is headed toward futile activism. By combining quantitative insights with qualitative understanding, data can serve as a tool capable of narrating the haunting and poignant stories society tends to overlook.  Growing up, there was no quantitative data to account for the human rights abuses I witnessed. There was no method to quantify the pervasive influence of extortion rates, gang violence, and political repression in my surroundings.  Creating this app was an initial step towards addressing this informational gap. I believe the field of computer science can enable the reimagining of a Central American future. During my upbringing in Honduras, a frequently heard phrase was “el que nada sabe, nada teme” (he who knows nothing, fears nothing). However, this mindset hindered civilians from reporting any human rights abuses they encountered.  Moreover, in a region plagued by government corruption, individuals refrained from reporting crimes or extortion rates out of fear that police forces were also corrupt. The existence of apps like Central Alert offers residents in Central American regions a chance to utilize a third-party platform for reporting witnessed incidents. This information can then be relayed to international organizations addressing violence or human rights violations. Having apps like Central Alert can provide civilians in Central American regions the opportunity to go to a third-party platform and report anything they witness, and this information can be taken to international organizations that combat violence or the violation of human rights. It is through the combination of code and purpose that I strive to contribute to a brighter future, where the untold stories of those affected by historical circumstances are amplified.”