KINGSTON, Jamaica — Telecommunications providers Digicel and Flow today endorsed the Stay Alert App, introduced by the Ministry of National Security as an important technological tool in the fight against crime.

 Both companies agreed to preload the app on all devices being sold to their customers in Jamaica, and to also send text messages to existing customers encouraging them to download the app.

 The announcement was made at a press briefing held at the Ministry of National Security’s head office this morning.

Speaking at the press briefing, National Security Minister Robert Montague lauded both organisations for their willingness to partner with the ministry for the promotion of the app.

 “We started with just about two thousand subscribers last February, and increased that to just over 40,000 users of the app in less than a year. With this partnership with Digicel and Flow we hope to push the numbers to over one million in short order. I want to congratulate both organisations for agreeing to preload the app and for making it available for free to their customers,” he said.

Head of Digicel Business, Brian Bennett Easy in endorsing the Stay Alert App said: “More than ever we have observed that technology is being used in ways we never thought possible. We believe that the Stay Alert App is a major step in the right direction and ultimately it will provide our security forces with the information they need and our citizens with the peace of mind that the information provided will make a difference. Our mission is to ensure that all Smart phone android users have the app as a standard feature.”

The Stay Alert App was developed and launched in 2014.

Since the renewed push, a number of smart phone users have downloaded and have used the app to send valuable information to the police or alert the police when in distress by pressing the panic button.