AUGUST Smartphone app to assist in fight against crime in Midrand
Yoalert will allow direct links with police in area
police station is going hi-tech in its efforts to combat crime and catch criminals.
The station will introduce a tailor-made smartphone application — YoAlert — which allows users to report crime directly to sector police officers patrolling the area.
Station commander Colonel Steven Moodley said the use of the smartphone application would be piloted at Midrand police station in the next two weeks. If it is successful, it will go national.
“This idea came about after discussions with a local information technology company, Computek, two years ago,” said Moodley.
“They approached us and asked how they could assist us in helping the community. We have a problem with cellphone reception in Midrand and people can’t reach us when they desperately need help. After discussion, YoAlert was born.”
The chief executive officer of Computek, Harry Chakhala, believes the app will help police tackle crime.
“With more and more people opting for smartphones these days, I am certain this application is going to be a success,” said Chakhala.
“Smartphones will be issued to police officers with two sim cards — so if one network is down, they have a back-up network.
“The application has Global Positioning System (GPS) software that will allow the police to get the exact co-ordinates of a complainant, even in a rural area. This will improve response time.”
Moodley said apart from helping the police stay in touch with the community, YoAlert would “keep an eagle eye” on the police.
“People will have an option to subscribe using their name or anonymously. The database is very secure.
“They have an option to videorecord or take pictures of criminal activities and send them to the police to investigate further.
“If people see a police officer accepting a bribe, they can record it and send it to us. This footage can be used in court as evidence.”
The chairman of the community policing forum, Billy Rudlin, said he was excited about YoAlert because it would enable police to be proactive in their jobs.
The application will be available in two weeks. Downloading can be done by sending an SMS short code SAPS-S to 39941.