Bengaluru Police to launch safety app for women and children

Bengaluru city police have taken the initiative to launch a safety app for women and children. A similar app already exists in Delhi and the Bengaluru cops hope to emulate the model successfully in the city and, at a later point, in Karnataka.

How the app works

The Bengaluru model will be similar to Himmat, an app for iPhone and Android which was launched by the Delhi Police, with numbers for WhatsApp and Hike messengers. Once an SOS is triggered from the app, it will reach the two nearest Hoysala (police) vehicles and the nearest police inspector. The police will then immediately arrive at the victim’s location. The app will come into effect in Bengaluru within a month’s time.

The Bengaluru Police are also in the process of setting up FIR kiosks. One such kiosk has already been set up in Mantri Mall, Malleswaram, and is being used successfully. Ten more are in the process of being set up across the city, DG and IGP Om Prakash said on Tuesday.

How the FIR kiosk works

Each kiosk is enabled with high-definition audio and video technology and a touch-screen. Any member of the public can walk into the kiosk and file an FIR which goes directly to the jurisdictional police. The individual can print, sign and scan documents as well. Once the FIR is filed, a digitally-signed FIR is issued as acknowledgement.