To strengthen patrols in crime-prone areas while saving manpower, Seoul’s Jungbu Police Station teamed up with the Jung District Administrative Office to introduce life-sized 3D holographic police officers at Jung-dong Park No. 3. The initiative has reduced local crime rates by about 22%, though some netizens jokingly dubbed it a “Ghost Month special.”
According to Taiwan media reports, the “virtual officers” stand at attention in full uniform and appear via projection every evening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., broadcasting a voice message: “In the event of violence or emergencies, the police will respond immediately.”
The system combines holographic projection technology with night lighting and CCTV, creating a realistic visual and audio presence designed to deter criminal activity. Crime statistics show that, comparing the periods before (Oct 2023–May 2024) and after installation (Oct 2024–May 2025), the surrounding area’s crime rate dropped by roughly 22%.
Seoul Jungbu Police Chief Ahn Dong-hyun said this is a new attempt to merge technology with public safety. “It not only effectively deters potential offenders but also strengthens residents’ sense of security,” he said. Plans may expand the system to other parks and remote streets, integrating AI analysis and real-time monitoring for added effectiveness.
The holographic officers have sparked a wave of online discussion for their eerily realistic appearance. Some joked, “No wonder crime went down—criminals were too scared to survive,” while others commented that the virtual officer looks like a fallen cop.
While humorous, these reactions highlight the visual impact of the 3D projections. Some suggested adding interactive features to make the officers both reassuring and less frightening. Seoul police are evaluating similar systems in other high-risk areas and exploring multilingual voice alerts and interactive functions to enhance public engagement while maintaining safety.
