Systems and methods for two-way, interactive communication regarding emergency notifications and responses for mobile environments are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a specific
geographic area is designated for selective emergency communications. The emergency communications may comprise text, audio, video, and other types of data. The emergency notification is sent to users' mobile communications devices such as in-vehicle
telematics units, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, etc. that are currently located in the designated area. The sender of the emergency message or the users'
service provider(s) may remotely control cameras and microphones associated with the users' mobile communications devices. For example, a rear camera ordinarily used when driving in reverse may be used to capture images and video that may assist authorities in searching for a suspect. The users' vehicles may send photographs or video streams of nearby individuals, cars and
license plates, along with real-time location information, in response to the emergency notification. Image recognition algorithms may be used to analyze
license plates, vehicles, and faces captured by the users' cameras and determine whether they match a suspect's description. Advantageously, the present invention utilizes dormant resources in a highly beneficial and time-saving manner that increases public safety and national security.