A "safety building number plate" installed by Bupyeong-gu in Incheon, the first of its kind in the country. [Bupyeong-gu]
A "safety building number plate" installed by Bupyeong-gu in Incheon, the first of its kind in the country. [Bupyeong-gu]

Bupyeong-gu in Incheon has become the first district in the country to install "safety building number plates," a system developed in partnership with the Bupyeong Police Station to help people quickly contact police in emergencies.

The district said Tuesday it had completed installation of the plates at 56 locations near the left side of Bupyeong Station and the north plaza of Dongam Station, including convenience stores and lodging facilities. The plates are linked to the Korean National Police Agency's "Safe Dream" service.

The plates retain the standard building number plate design but feature a pink indicator to help people easily identify women's safety facilities nearby.

Scanning the QR code on the bottom of each plate with a smartphone confirms the user's current location and connects directly to the police agency's Safe Dream service and the women's emergency hotline 1366.

The district said it expects the system to help authorities quickly pinpoint a caller's location during a crime or emergency, cutting initial response times for police and other agencies.

Bupyeong-gu plans to analyze usage data and crime-prevention effects at the pilot sites through the end of this year before assessing the project's viability and expanding installation to women's safe-return routes and other crime-vulnerable areas.


gilbert@heraldcorp.com