After a robust and lengthy process, the Emmarentia Residents Association (ERA) has finally announced the launch of their new panic button app.
Woza is a smartphone panic button app that the ERA believes will assist residents with their crime, medical and roadside emergencies.
The unique thing about this app is its shake-to-activate feature. Paul Nogueira from Woza explained, “All you have to do to activate the panic button is to vigorously shake the phone. This will trigger the app to contact a list of 82 PSIRA-registered security companies, police and emergency services with your GPS coordinates.”
This is different from other similar apps as it reduces the time needed to activate the app.
Woza, which is the Nguni word for ‘come’ was selected as a name as users of the app will use it to tell safety and security authorities to come and help them. Nogueira said, “The app was developed in a way that it can work for someone at home or those out and about.”
It will link users with the relevant authorities based on where they currently are.
He added, “If you are away from home and your security company, it will contact the nearest police station and other security companies of your emergency.”
Once the panic button has been activated by the user, they will get 20 seconds to stop the call from going out. This was done to address any chances of the phone being shaken by mistake or a child. The user will also be given a chance to select what kind of emergency they are in once the panic button has been activated.
Woza will also be given 20 per cent of this fee back to the community. Nogueira said, “Ward 88’s Lets Work and Community Patrolling initiatives will get 10 per cent off monthly subscriptions to assist with the work they do in and with the community.”
ERA urges all residents in the area to instal this application on their phone. The app can be downloaded on both Android and Apple phones and only cost R50 a month.
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