Pramesh S Jain
As part of the Safe City initiative,Bengaluru City Police have installed Safety Islands at 50 locations across the city to enhance public safety,especially for women.
These blue,telephone booth-like units serve as emergency support points for citizens without access to a mobile phone during distress,accidents,medical emergencies,or incidents such as mobile theft.
By pressing a single SOS button on the Emergency Call Box,callers are instantly connected to the Bengaluru Police Command and Control Centre.
The Safety Islands are marked on Google Maps for easy access. Police have also cautioned that misuse of these emergency units will attract legal action,Kuldeep R Jain, joint commissioner of police (Administration),said.
Each Safety Island is equipped with AI-enabled CCTV cameras—one fixed and one PTZ providing 360-degree surveillance—along with a two-way communication system and public announcement speakers for emergency alerts.
The setup enables swift ERSS vehicle dispatch and real-time assistance from police personnel.
Since their launch on June 30,2024 the Command Centre has responded to 188 SOS calls,including 62 mobile theft cases.
Officials said the system is supported by strict monitoring protocols,instant SOS response,seamless integration with command units,and routine maintenance of cameras and communication systems.
Officers are trained for remote guidance, and usage data is being used to identify high-risk zones for future expansion.
Real-life interventions:
In one case,a student who lost her phone in a BMTC bus used a Safety Island at Banashankari.Police traced the bus conductor within minutes and recovered the phone.
In another incident,a young woman who was being threatened with her private photos pressed the SOS button. Police responded immediately,summoned the accused to the station,and took action.
Authorities say the initiative is not just about infrastructure but about instilling confidence among women. For every woman in the city, help is now just a button away.
