Chicago, IL
Uber rolls out text-to-911 safety feature on rideshare app for users across US
![Uber rolls out text-to-911 safety feature on rideshare app for users across US Uber rolls out text-to-911 safety feature on rideshare app for users across US](https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/12180480_AP22191686451277.jpg?w=1600)
NEW YORK CITY — Uber is rolling out new security options that can permit customers to speak to a dwell security agent and textual content 911 operators within the case of emergency.
Rebecca Payne, the lead mission supervisor on Uber’s security group, instructed ABC Information about how, in accordance with the favored ride-sharing platform, a number of the options may also help riders really feel extra snug and can provide extra entry to emergency providers.
One characteristic, which Uber says shall be rolled out to greater than half of the nation, together with New York Metropolis and California, will permit customers to textual content 911 operators for instant emergency response.
Uber says about 60% of the U.S. will have the ability to use it.
“Textual content-to-911 is one thing that we began testing in 2019 within the counties that allowed for texting to their 911 name facilities,” Payne stated. “And so with this announcement, we are actually increasing that to all the counties which have this know-how obtainable now.”
When riders use the text-to-911 characteristic within the app, it can generate a prewritten message together with details about the journey, such because the automobile data and placement.
Payne stated it is a great way for customers to “discreetly” get emergency assist.
One other new characteristic, known as “dwell assist,” will let riders, drivers and couriers communicate to a security agent by means of a partnership with the safety firm ADT.
Riders can ship a message by means of the Uber app and obtain a name or textual content with a educated security agent, in accordance with Uber. Customers can then keep on the cellphone with that agent till they really feel snug or till their experience ends.
“They’ll use that for any scenario that is not but escalating to the necessity of getting police or different emergency providers like fireplace division or ambulance, however they might really feel unsafe or uncomfortable and want somebody to speak them by means of a scenario,” Payne stated.
She stated that consumer response to the characteristic, which was piloted in 9 U.S. cities on the finish of final yr, has been “overwhelmingly optimistic.”
The options have been added to the app’s security toolkit, which was launched in 2018.
In Uber’s most up-to-date security report, the corporate reported that 99.9% of the common of almost 3 million rides per day had no reviews of security incidents, together with automobile accidents, bodily assaults or sexual assaults.
However the report additionally discovered that in 2019 and 2020, the corporate reported 3,824 sexual assault incidents. Uber reported related charges of such incidents in earlier years.
For entry to the brand new security options, customers have to replace their Uber apps. Payne stated she recommends customers additionally discover the protection toolkit within the app.
Copyright © 2022 ABC Information Web Ventures.
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Chicago, IL
2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say
![2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say 2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say](https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/6673928_093020-wls-ss-chicago-fire-generic-clean.jpg?w=1600)
![](https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/6673928_093020-wls-ss-chicago-fire-generic-clean.jpg)
FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock
CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.
The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.
The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.
After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.
It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.
The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.
Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Chicago, IL
3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban
![3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban 3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban](https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/12482885_112222-wls-gallardo-hp-thanksgiving-430p-vid.jpg?w=1600)
HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.
As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.
“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”
WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story
“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”
“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”
SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor
For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.
“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”
However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.
Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.
Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Chicago, IL
Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts
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WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.
The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.
The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.
However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.
This story is breaking and can be up to date.
Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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