Growing risk of violent crime by public transportation
( https://www.independent.co.uk/us/voices/new-york-subway-crime-doors-b2085392.html )
Public transport lines transport thousands of people every day between their places of work and their homes. However, while fast and convenient enough, the commute via public transport can hide many crises - especially in surging crowds.
The greatest and most urgent concern is the growing risk of violent crime. In early 2024, a crossing guard was shot aboard a train in Brooklyn. In February, an incident on a Bronx subway platform resulted in one fatality and injuries to five individuals due to a shooting. These incidents pose a significant threat to commuter safety and are rising in their number.
( https://nypost.com/2024/02/29/us-news/mta-conductor-slashed-in-neck-on-a-train-in-brooklyn/ )
Research conducted by New York Times, focusing on the analysis of Metropolitan Transportation Authority and police statistics, shows that the rate of violent crimes (including murder, rape, felony assault, and robbery) per subway ride has more than doubled since 2019, before the pandemic’s disruption.
( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/04/nyregion/new-york-subway-safety.html )
Plan for safety as a commuter
Emergencies can occur quickly and without warning, so planning for dangerous scenarios is a crucial first step toward a calm and effective response.
#Scenario 1: In need of medical help
Possible scenarios include commuters needing prompt medical help after a sudden attack; being unable to continue their journey due to ill health or an anxiety attack.
#Scenario 2: In need of police assistance
Being robbed or sexually harassed in a crowded area requires calling the police for personal protection.
#Scenario 3: In need of timely contact with family
In the event of a stampede or other serious accident, family members need to be contacted promptly.
To cope with these scenarios, multiple devices have been given by the government and also third-party agencies.
-Keep emergency contacts: The American Red Cross with the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends that people keep emergency contacts when they commute: this should include numbers of your important family members or supervisor in an easily accessible place; or an id bracelet with your identity info on it. In the event of an accident, someone close to you can contact your emergency contact or call the ambulance for you.
-Invest in Safety Devices: Safety blogs suggest equipping yourself with safety devices to provide an additional layer of protection. One choice is a personal alarm, for example, a panic button, or a self defense keychain or flashlight to draw attention in threatening situations.
However, the note with your name and phone number could get lost in the chaos. Meanwhile, when you want to contact your family on your own, the crowded conditions may not allow you to pull out your mobile phone and make a call, or help others notice the information on your id bracelet.
Panic button and self defense keychain could be a solution, but under certain circumstances like being attacked, there may not be time to wait to get the attention of those around you and wait for assistance. Also, pulling these devices out of your backpack in time on a crowded underground can be a challenge.
Simpler and more effective ways to get help
To provide more instant and timely help for commuters, switzerland-based company CERRET (https://cerret.com ) has launched its innovative safety bracelet, which is elegantly designed to double as a stylish piece of jewelry on the commuter’s wrist.
Instead of waiting for others to notice and help, this device can quickly send a message along with your real-time location and an emergency call to your emergency contact, when the user simply presses the button on the bracelet twice. This location is continuously shared for up to 48 hours, ensuring that help is on its way and the wearer can be located and assisted promptly by family members.
It also relieves you of the difficulty of pulling out your personal safety device on a crowded underground - just press the button and the process of calling for help is already complete. This can be done even when you are weaker than usual.
Using the fastest and lightest technology, not only will you be able to solve safety issues on your commute, but you'll be able to stop your family from worrying about you.