The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Monday it will expand eligibility for its "Anshimbell" emergency alert device program — which supports police dispatch in crisis situations — to cover all female small-business owners, beyond the previous limit of solo-operator shops.
The Anshimbell is an emergency reporting device installed at storefronts. When pressed during a crisis, it activates an external warning light and alarm and connects to the district's closed-circuit television network. Police dispatch is available when needed.
Since the program's launch in 2024, the devices have logged 2,891 reports, 50 of which resulted in police being dispatched.
The city said it hopes the expansion will help female small-business owners — many of whom work alone in hair salons, nail shops, restaurants and cafes with frequent public contact — reduce the risk of crime and improve their stores' ability to respond to emergencies.
Applications for installation are available at any time through the Seoul Metropolitan Government website. The self-pay fee is 20,000 won ($14), though devices will be supplied free of charge at traditional markets, alley commercial districts and other high-demand locations recommended by relevant city departments and district offices.
"We will actively identify stores vulnerable to crime and work to create an environment where small-business owners can operate with peace of mind," said Ma Chae-suk, head of the city's Women and Family Affairs Office.
ken@heraldcorp.com
