RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Military Police (PM) of Rio de Janeiro have launched an app called Linha Direta (Direct Line) which hopes to help to increase security by making it easier to contact emergency services.
The app allows users to send 15-second audio directly to the police, along with one’s location. In addition, audio and location can be sent to any friends, neighbors or family registered on the app, allowing them to assist if appropriate. The app is also smart – it automatically closes after use, leaving no traces.
In tests carried out, it was reported that average times for intervention were reduced from 14 minutes to 45 seconds. However, it was not clear if this intervention was by the police, or simply by personal contacts of the users.
The app allows people to choose whether alerts are sent to the police or just to their contacts; during testing 70 percent of communications were made to these contacts as opposed to the PM service.
In any case, police spokesmen believe this app will help to prevent many crimes before they occur and offer rapid aid when a crime has occurred.
Another purpose of this application is to reduce the number of prank calls to the police, as users are all registered by name and address. However, it seems obvious that prank callers would avoid an app that will allow them to be traced.
The service is for both personal and commercial use. It is also believed that another benefit − albeit perhaps a questionable one in certain circumstances – will be that the police will use less resources responding to calls, as friends and neighbors will reach the victim or potential victim quicker.
In São Paulo the same app is being used in partnership with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, as a channel for denunciations of sexual violence and corruption.
This scheme was launched in August of this year and allows users to send reports of these crimes, along with evidence, to be analyzed by a criminal investigation team. The main functional difference between the São Paulo and Rio versions is that the former allows anonymous use.
Both versions of the app are available on iOS and Android.
Initially the Rio de Janeiro Linha Direta PM app will be available in suburban Duque de Caxias and Irajá, but the intention is to expand the service to the entire state.