City of Moscow rejects pilot using neighbourhood watch tech

The technology would allow certain people such as health professionals to quickly notify law enforcement of potential crimes.

Update: 2018-11-25 09:58 GMT
A man uses a smartphone in Tokyo. Visitors to New Zealand can be fined 5,000 New Zealand dollars ($3,243) for refusing to provide passwords to unlock electronic devices and allow customs officials to examine them under a new law that a civil liberties group condemned as a grave invasion of privacy. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)

The city of Moscow has rejected a free pilot program that would use a smartphone application to help prevent crime.

The Daily News of Pullman reports the technology would allow certain people such as health professionals to quickly notify law enforcement of potential crimes or suspicious activities.

The City Council on Monday voted against participating in the project with Kestrel Technology Group.

Moscow Police Chief James Fry says he was approached by the University of Idaho Center for Resilient Communities to participate in the neighbourhood watch program after a threat against Moscow schools in March.

Fry supported the idea, saying they need to look “outside of the box” in providing safety. Opponents raised concerns including worries the program could be divisive.

The app allows a user to hit three buttons to report various levels of activities.

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