LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – For street vendors, working late nights alone in Las Vegas can be risky.
Many say they have faced harassment or even just an uncomfortable situation while trying to make a living. That’s why Lino Lares created Mi Gente 911 – an app designed to protect vendors by rallying the community when they need help.
“This distress button was created for the vendors, in case they are being bullied or harassed,” Lares said. “They push the button and it’ll send a distress signal to every app user within a five-mile radius to come and assist.”
The app allows vendors to share their real-time location with customers looking for street food, but its most important feature is the emergency button. Whether it’s de-escalating a situation, translating or just being a witness.
“I’m hoping it brings the vendors a sense of security,” Lares said.
Lares added the feature because he says he hears stories of vendors being harassed and always wishes he could have been there to help. Owner of Champ’s Wings and Things, Champ Thompson says it’s a safety tool that could make all the difference.
A lot of us we out here late nights, working by ourselves, and then we have some irate customers that come up,” Thompson said. “And they want what they want when they want it.”
Thompson says there have been times when he wished there were more people around to help him in a situation
“It’s good to have a panic button you can hit, and other people show up. It’s not that they come in to do something to the person, but it’s good to have somebody here with you,” Thompson explained.
The app is free to download and available now for both vendors and community members who want to help.
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