Fearing random attacks, New Yorkers can rest a little easier.
Randomly attacked during the day, Manhattan therapists have launched their own “Uber for Pedestrians” mobile app, which aims to improve street safety with numbers.
Upper East Side resident Pamela Gerber said her invention, Don’t walk alone in NYCpairs users with other pedestrians in the “buddy system” as well as ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft.
“Walking is a testament to our freedom,” she told the Post.[but] I walk past the person shooting. I’m passing someone who seems hostile. I said my fiancé at the time and said, “I called with me.”
“If you can’t patronize a restaurant or restaurant, especially in New York, you’ll lose your entire lifestyle,” she added.
Gerber’s fiance tragically died in an accident before the pair could tie the knot, but she said she found comfort by roaming the city.
“My strong desire for family and subsequent disappointment was always soothed by walking down the streets of the city,” Gerber (55) said.
“The city of New York has always been comforting, and it has always been a witty welcome that the city is the greatest big neighbourhood of northeast hospitality, and is often a colorful joke.
However, Gerber began to notice the “visible” changes in her walking commute from the Upper East Side to her previous office in the financial district. And in 2019, after nearly a decade of strolling downtown, it has become “impossible” for her to safely and fearlessly hit the pavement.
“I just know that the environment has changed and it has changed visually,” she said.
Gerber said she was urged to take action after she was flooded with horrifying anecdotes from her psychotherapy client.
The therapist recalls that a client witnessed a stab wound, was chased for blocking, and robbed after leaving the grocery store.
“They feel helpless,” she said. “This app provides a practical solution.”
She said when she repeatedly punched her neck to strangers in her neighborhood on Saturday afternoon, she said that her determination to launch the app after her own attack in the summer of 2022 has been strengthened.
“The police were experts, but they didn’t arrest my attacker,” Gerber said. ” [same] The woman attacked the pregnant woman right after me. ”
Compared to this time slot last year, so far in 2025, citywide felony and misdemeanor assaults have declined by 1% and 1.8% respectively, while robbers have fallen 21.2%, according to police data.
But for Gerber and others, one attack experience is sufficient, and it is an alternative to walking alone on the subway or taking it alone.
The app is still in development as Garber Courts investors seek an effort of around $250,000. She plans to start beta testing within the next 12 months, along with 100 Manhattan participants.
“I put my life at risk more than taxi fares,” he said. Promotional Video The app clearly makes a statement.
Some New Yorkers said they are equally vigilant in city streets, and walking with others adds a much needed level of protection to their commute.
“As a New Yorker, I always keep an eye on things and I pay a little more attention to the trains. [to] “We’re looking forward to seeing you in the process of getting things done,” said Janice Tsao, a Midtown East resident and real estate agent.
“It looks interesting,” added Tsao. “I want to know if there are enough people for that and if it’s fast enough to get someone because I don’t want anything to happen while you’re waiting [on the street] For that person. ”
“I feel it’s a great idea,” said Stevie, an Upper East Side resident who refused to provide her last name, but pointed out that it doesn’t curb all concerns.
“If I’m with others, I feel safer, definitely. [with] Another woman – when I’m with a man, it really doesn’t help,” she said.
Stevie added that he suspects the “buddy system” can suck all the random attacks. Just like we saw a woman stabbed on crowded Soho Street earlier this month.
“Does that really make a difference? [to walk in a group?]she asked. I feel that society needs to be better for women. ”
Gerber said they plan to implement background checks and virtual interviews to screen users as a way to alleviate the app’s potential to fall into the wrong hands or that it can be used by people with malicious motives.
For individuals, the Never Walk Alone NYC follows the “City Bike Model.” In this model, the app coordinates meeting locations at each hour’s subway station, Gerber said.
Businesses, schools and other institutions can also “subscribe” and customize their own meeting points.
Garber expects the app will cost an individual user about $25 a month, an institutional adjusted price based on the size of the company.
Groups with in-house subscriptions effectively use their own employment or admission processes as de facto “examination” tools.
As she awaits potential private investors, Gerber also strives for luck in seeking the benefits of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. And they argue that the app could even become the city’s multi-million dollar revenue generator through advertising, subscriptions and data mining.
“We walk together, increase our opportunities for real life and step into health factors to increase safety,” she said of the project.
“Business relationships are needed to make walking dating a reality.”
