Every evening, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., a 3D holographic image of a police officer, over 1.7 meters tall and in full uniform, appears in Judong Park number 3, a popular area in Seoul's Jung-gu district. The virtual officer reminds park visitors, "In case of an emergency, the police will respond immediately," and, "There are surveillance cameras everywhere."

This initiative aims to provide a sense of security for park-goers and discourage disorderly conduct.

Created by Hologrammica, a company specializing in holographic content, the life-sized holographic police officer was installed as a pilot program in 10/2024.

"The holographic signage is becoming a smart security device that enhances public safety awareness and acts as a psychological deterrent against disorderly behavior," said Ahn Dong-hyun, chief of the Jungbu Police Station.

The police plan to expand their crime prevention activities by integrating AI technology to further enhance safety in public spaces.

While acknowledging that the technology cannot directly apprehend criminals, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency emphasized its significant deterrent effect. Even though closer inspection reveals the image is not a real person, the perceived presence of a police officer is enough to discourage potential wrongdoers.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, crime rates within the park have decreased by about 22% since the holographic officer's installation.

Despite the positive feedback from the police, the public's reaction to the hologram has been less enthusiastic. Online comments compare the figure to an AI scarecrow, with some jokingly suggesting that crime rates may have dropped because people are too afraid to enter the park after seeing the "ghostly" police officer.

Hai Thu (According to Klab)