CATS Launches See Something ELERTS Mobile App

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is announcing the launch of “See Something, Say Something” ELERTS mobile app. The “CATS See Say” app will enable CATS riders to alert transit police to safety and security concerns on CATS trains, buses and at facilities and bus stops.

CATS is part of the national “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign, developed in 2010 by the United States Department of Homeland Security. The campaign is aimed at raising public awareness of signs of terrorism and terrorism-related crime. The campaign also enforces the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. The CATS See Something, Say Something mobile app will take CATS rider involvement in transit safety to a new level.

CATS CEO John Lewis notes the importance of this technology. “Safety is and always will be a primary concern of CATS. Through the use of this mobile app, riders can have a bigger hand in helping our public transit system operate as safely as possible.”

Through this app, riders will be able to quickly submit reports of suspicious or criminal activity containing photos, video, text descriptions and GPS maps, pinpointing the problem area.

Some examples of reportable suspicious activity might include unattended packages, concerning behavior or disorderly conduct, indecipherable odors, substances, or smoke. Riders are encouraged to note descriptions of their findings including the “who, what, when and where” of their concerns including time, place, and descriptions of individuals involved.

Reports submitted by riders are sent directly to CATS Safety and Security team, which is staffed 24 hours-a-day.  The report can then be sent automatically to Safety and Security staff in the field, and to police who can then issue a BOLO (“be on the look-out”). Two-way communication will allow Safety and Security to correspond with the user of the app.

Additionally, CATS will have the option of pushing out alerts to all riders who have the app.

To further protect riders, the app automatically disables the camera flash when the user takes a photo, so it is discreet. Reports can be sent anonymously, if desired.

Similar versions of this app, developed by ELERTS Corporation, are being used by other major transit systems including MARTA in Atlanta, the MBTA in Boston, the NFTA in Buffalo, the VTA in Santa Clara and BART in San Francisco. Nationwide, more than 2.5 million riders use ELERTS each day.

The “CATS See Say” app is available to all iPhones and Android phones, and may be installed at no cost to riders.