The city of Anyang, known as a “digital special administrative city,” has enhanced its administrative approach by implementing advanced technology to make public restrooms safer from sex crimes. Recently, AI-based gender recognition CCTV systems have been installed and are operational at the entrances of 45 public women’s restrooms located in parks and near rivers. This represents an evolution from previously installed safety mirrors.
These AI gender recognition CCTVs utilize artificial intelligence to identify and learn a person’s gender. If someone of a different gender enters the restroom, an alarm is immediately triggered at the Anyang Smart City Integrated Center. The monitoring system promptly indicates the location and name of the restroom on the screen, enabling a quick response and crime prevention using the CCTV footage from that location and surrounding areas.
Since October last year, these systems have been operational at 45 locations, and the city plans to install additional units at 28 more locations in the second half of the year. Anyang expects these enhancements will not only help in crime prevention but also aid in evidence collection if needed.
In addition to AI technologies, the city has intensified measures against illegal camera recordings in public restrooms. Previously, they conducted checks with portable detectors. However, as illegal recording devices become more diversified and sophisticated, Anyang has built a continuous detection system for illegal filming in 85 public restrooms since last year.
The Anyang Smart City Integrated Center monitors urban safety, traffic, and disaster management with a total of approximately 8,000 CCTVs to ensure that residents lead convenient and secure lives. A city official emphasized the continuous threat posed by restroom-related sex crimes and stated that various smart technologies will continue to be implemented in public restrooms to alleviate public fear.
Mayor Choi Dae-ho of Anyang stated that the city aims to protect citizens’ property and lives by applying its smart technologies throughout the city, continuously fostering a smart environment for its residents.