Gunma police, NTT, Kanto Gakuen working on app to warn users of high-risk areas

Goodness, another paper-shuffler idea. :/

Instead of for example patrolling more, or perhaps even preventing crime, people are supposed to stick their noses even deeper into the smartphone screens and thus avoid being victims of crimes? Fantastic idea.

How about this instead: Police officers get off their asses, take some steps out of the koban and talk to these "unruly youths"? If they are aware of which areas are dangerous, wouldn't the first step be to actully step up patrolling and surveillance there, you know to be proactive. I think it would.

Gunma prefectural police, NTT East and Kanto Gakuen University are working on a “crime prevention application” for smartphones that would inform users of high-risk areas where suspicious persons have been seen or where crimes such as molesting or assault may occur.

Oh, here we go....

Definition of a Suspicious Person...? A Foreigner...? Anyone..?

And how much money, I.E.. The total cost of resources involved in this exercise in futility..?

Here's a better Idea, stop right there, don't waste money developing any worthless applications, now take whatever information you are able to garner, and give it it to the JCops (Or J-Oops, as we affectionately know them...) I'm sure, sometime, between Implementing These New Nazi Bicycle Laws and staking out young girls undergarments, they may find a moment or two to look at the information, and then file it away in the deepest bowels of their trash receptacles.

You're Welcome...!

This won't help with all the random attacks that are occurring, but better than nothing, I guess.

so its basically like they're letting you listen in to the police channel...

Maps and info like that been available from the local police station on request, they are just packaging it into an app with updates and alerts.

By all means inform the public of where and what type of offences are occurring but the Police really have to be proactive and start targetting the areas themselves. A very different type of policing here....

Seems like an ok idea to me, information like that is public in many countries and there are apps available in the US that maps out sexual offender residences, high risk zones and so on. We probably shouldn't expect them to come out of their kobans anyway, besides this app might settle the growing argument on most articles over whether Saitama or Chiba is the worst hell hole. (Hint, they're both safe and you're all hysterical.)

I hear the flashers are working on an app to counteract this initiative. Green zones to mark where it is safe to get your tackle out. Updates on where the police are dozing in their cars. Financial reports tracking where the fine money is going, vanity mirror functionality! In a bid to cut costs, the flashers are harnessing the power of the internet to use developers in Bangladesh. Analysts say at a fraction of the cost and development time it is making the long awaited NTT roll out look somewhat flaccid.

Well it's not like we've much else to do in Gunma. Go for it. I'll happily download it when/ if it is released. I would like to know if places should be avoided because of recent incidents etc. Would save me the time of finding out for myself that an area is a bit of a dive and best to be avoided. Can't rely on the inaka gossip.

If you want to aviod danger as a woman, you might want to not leave the house after sundown. If you are a kid, you might not want to go to school anymore, as it is a "dangerous" place. If you are man, stay at home, as going to work is dangerous. It's not the places that are dangerous, but the perpetrators.