Women in the city now have a yet-unnamed distress app that will immediately alert the police and send them the location as well as video and audio recordings of the situation.For users of Android-powered phones, the app is available for download on Google Play store under the temporary name `SOS AppBangalore Police'. A version for iPhones will be launched shortly .
“The application will be officially launched in two weeks," Police Commissioner Praveen Sood said.
Already , several initial users of the app are delighting in it. “I installed this mobile application last week and by mistake I pressed the SOS button.Immediately , I got a call from the control room. The police staff on the call was very polite and explained how the app works," said Akshatha S, a 26-year-old techie. This ET reporter tried the app to verify her claim and found that the police called back in less than 10 seconds.
DCP Command Control, MG Nagendra Kumar, explained that the app, as soon as a user presses the SOS button on it, will automatically record and send 30-second audio files to the police. The description on Google Play store mentions that the app will also send 10-second videos to the police. “(The app) will also send a message to the control room as well as to the alternative contact numbers given (by the user) during the registration of the app," he said.
“Based on the mobile tower location, the control room will inform the Hoysala (patrol) staff so they can rush to the spot to help the caller."
The impact of some of Bengaluru police's earlier efforts to improve safety conditions for women has been limited. In 2013, Bengaluru police launched five all-women patrol vehicles, called Abhaya, for deployment near educational institutions to deter harassers and stalkers.
Since then, though, the department has not made an effort to strengthen the size or scope of the Abhaya patrol vehicles.
For its new app, Bengaluru police is seeking suggestions from the public for a name. Some of the suggestions that have come up on Twitter are Raksha, Suraksha, HaddinaKannu, Nirbeethi, Apatkala and Spandana.
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