The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police Department has announced the release of their See Say smartphone app.

The iPhone app will allow riders to instantly report suspicious activity to transit police by sharing pictures, text and incident location details.

The MBTA is the first transit system in the United States to launch a smart phone application as part of the "If you see something, say something" efforts.

According to a press release from the MBTA, the new app allows riders to proactively communicate with transit authorities and also to receive alerts from authorities in emergency situations.

"In addition, the See Say app:

· Is designed for transit and other environments with limited cell service, sending reports immediately once riders have signal.

· Is discrete - riders may choose to send reports anonymously and a rider's smartphone flash is automatically turned off when taking a photo of something suspicious.

· Routes reports to a web console at the Transit Police dispatch center, where a dispatcher then manages reports from riders.

· Allows 2-way communication so riders can receive and comment back on alerts from Transit Police (eg. "I see the missing person") and for the Transit Dispatcher to ask a rider for more detail regarding a specific report from a rider.

· Alerts riders when there is a delay or service issue via built in T-Alerts."

The See Say application can be downloaded for free from from MBTA.com or the iTunes app store.