SaferCity uses technology to connect its members and their families with a variety of safety entities. This includes the South African Police Services (SAPS), security firms, armed response teams, community and neighbourhood watches, and community policing forums. In a country like South Africa, where ensuring the safety and security of your loved ones is paramount, SaferCity’s focus on leveraging technology to combat crime is commendable. PDBY conducted an interview with Marlene McKay, SaferCity’s public relations officer, and Theo Pouroullis, SaferCity’s CEO.
Do you see safety as an issue for students residing around campus, and in which ways does the app mitigate this risk?
McKay: Safety is a significant concern for students residing around university campuses across South Africa. Students, particularly those who are far away from home for the first time, may not be fully aware of the potential dangers in an unfamiliar urban environment. Issues such as contact crimes like robbery, rape, and assault are realities that students and their families must contend with. [It] is clear that student safety is an ongoing concern that requires vigilant attention.
Pouroullis: In the past few weeks we have received reports of students being assaulted outside nightclubs, either by bouncers or sometimes even groups of youngsters who do it just for the fun of it or to gain psychological advantage over peers. What is your backup when you feel you are in danger or need a “big brother” to come and rescue you? Students do not have any safety solution for this, as campus security cannot police students both on and off campus, hence us designing a solution that fulfils this need.
Can you briefly describe how the safety app works and how you think it will benefit the readers? What are its key features that will cater to students’ needs?
McKay: SaferCity is your professional “big brother” solution. When you are in need, click “panic”. When a student is in distress, or feels unsafe, they can quickly activate the app and press the panic button. This immediately alerts the SaferCity response team, who can then track the student’s location and dispatch the necessary help, whether that be campus security, law enforcement, private security, or emergency medical services.
With over 3 000 armed responders online countrywide in all major cities, and over 850 ambulances on the network, you can rest assured [that] you will get a response typically within five to eight minutes if you are in trouble.
Key features include [the following]:
- Panic or Medical Response to your location
- Family Panic – when you select “panic”, an alert is sent to your family guardian as well as our control centre so that a family member knows that you are in danger and what your location is at that time.
- Track Me
- Crime Hot Spots indicator – the app tells you of community-reported crimes by GPS spot so [that] you know [whether] you are entering a dangerous or safe space.
The app also offers several features tailored to the needs of students beyond the panic button. Users can communicate directly with the TEARS Foundation, an award-winning NPO addressing issues of rape, sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence through a desktop chat and in-app feature. Students with depression or anxiety difficulties can also reach out through the app chat, and the TEARS Foundation will coordinate support for the student. […]
The app also provides a direct desk chat connection to the local Community Police Forum (CPF), enabling students to input information directly on the app platform. Students can report crimes occurring in their vicinity using the in-app facility. While this does not directly notify SAPS, the information will be sent to them anonymously for investigation via the CPF.
What success stories or real-life scenarios can you share regarding the use of the app?
McKay: SaferCity has had numerous success stories demonstrating the real-life impact and effectiveness of [the] safety app. […] The panic button has proven to be a valuable resource for students commuting to university. In a recent incident, a student’s car broke down just 7 km away from her destination. Without hesitation, she opened the panic app and requested roadside assistance. The control team called her to understand the situation and ensure her safety. Within 20 minutes, a tow truck arrived to transport her car to where she needed it to go. The student also utilised the “Home Drive” feature on the app, which provided her with a ride to the university. This allowed her to reach her destination on time, despite the unexpected car trouble.
Pouroullis: These real-life scenarios demonstrate the immediate and effective response that SaferCity is able to provide to its users in emergency situations. By quickly alerting the necessary authorities and dispatching help, the app has proven to be a vital tool in safeguarding the wellbeing of its users, including vulnerable individuals such as school children, students and the elderly. The success stories highlight the app’s ability to cater to unique needs of students and the broader community.
At SaferCity, we take great pride in being able to empower our users and give them a sense of security, no matter the situation. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that our app is there for our community members when they need it most. This is what drives us to innovate and enhance the features of the app based on user interaction and the unique needs of the South Africa[n] environment. SaferCity is more than just a panic app – it’s a lifeline for those who need it.
