UES therapist launching ‘Uber for pedestrians’ to combat street safety fears: ‘I’m risking my life over cab fare’

New York Post - Apr 18th, 2025
Open on New York Post

A Manhattan therapist, Pamela Garber, is developing a mobile app called 'Never Walk Alone NYC' to enhance pedestrian safety by pairing users in a buddy system similar to rideshare services. The app aims to alleviate fears of random street attacks, an issue Garber personally experienced in 2022. Inspired by both her own assault and concerning stories from her clients, Garber envisions the app as a practical solution to the rising unease among New Yorkers. The app, currently seeking $250,000 in investment, plans to launch beta testing with 100 participants in Manhattan within the next year.

Garber's initiative emerges in the context of a city where, despite a slight decline in assaults and robberies, many residents still feel unsafe. The app proposes a subscription model for individuals and businesses, with background checks and virtual interviews to ensure safety. While some New Yorkers support the idea, others express skepticism about its efficacy against random violence. Garber is also exploring potential partnerships with the city administration, highlighting the app's potential to generate revenue and improve public safety through advertising and data mining.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The story provides a compelling narrative centered on Pamela Garber's personal experience and her initiative to launch a pedestrian safety app. It highlights a timely issue of urban safety and offers a potential technological solution, which could resonate with readers concerned about personal security. However, the article's reliance on a single source and lack of diverse perspectives limit its balance and depth. While the language is clear and the structure is logical, the absence of detailed evidence and transparency regarding some claims affects its overall accuracy and credibility. The story has the potential to engage readers and influence public opinion, but its impact is contingent on further development and validation of the app's effectiveness.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several claims that are partially verifiable but lacks comprehensive evidence for others. For instance, Pamela Garber's background as a therapist and her experience of being assaulted are factual details that require more precise verification, such as police reports or personal statements. The app's concept, 'Never Walk Alone NYC,' is described with broad strokes, yet specific technical details about its operation are not provided, leaving some claims about its functionality unsubstantiated. The article mentions crime statistics for NYC, claiming a decrease in assaults and robberies, which should be cross-verified with official NYPD statistics to ensure accuracy. While the narrative includes Garber's personal anecdotes and client experiences, these are subjective and need further corroboration to strengthen the story's factual basis.

5
Balance

The article centers primarily on Pamela Garber's perspective, offering limited viewpoints from other sources. While it includes brief comments from New Yorkers like Janice Tsao and Stevie, these perspectives are not deeply explored and serve more to support Garber's narrative rather than provide a balanced view of public opinion. The story could benefit from additional perspectives, such as law enforcement officials or urban safety experts, to provide a more rounded discussion of street safety in New York. The lack of counterarguments or critical viewpoints about the app's potential effectiveness or feasibility suggests a bias towards promoting Garber's initiative.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting Garber's story in a coherent manner. It effectively conveys her motivation and the basic concept of the app. However, the narrative occasionally lacks precision, particularly in explaining the technical aspects of the app and the broader implications of the crime statistics. The story could be improved by providing more detailed explanations and avoiding assumptions that readers are familiar with the context. Despite these issues, the overall tone is neutral, and the article is accessible to a general audience.

4
Source quality

The primary source of the article is Pamela Garber, whose personal experiences and statements drive the narrative. However, the reliance on a single primary source raises questions about the overall reliability of the information. Additional authoritative sources, such as city officials, law enforcement, or tech experts, would enhance the credibility of the claims made about crime trends and the app's potential impact. The story does not cite any external studies or data to support the claims about street safety or the app's expected success, which limits the article's authority.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context for Garber's motivations and experiences, yet it lacks transparency regarding the methodology behind the app's development and the crime statistics cited. There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, such as financial ties or partnerships that might influence Garber's statements or the app's promotion. The article does not clarify how the crime data was obtained or verified, which affects the transparency of the reported decrease in crime rates. Greater detail on these aspects would help readers understand the basis of the claims and the story's potential biases.

Sources

  1. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-personal-security-app-never-walk-alone--nyc--helps-protect-city-walkers-301622783.html
  2. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bsafe-never-walk-alone/id459709106
  3. https://www.neverwalkalone.com
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECbzAY9ajhc
  5. https://nomanwalksalone.com