ALARM ON THE ROAD! 90% of Pilgrims Ignore the APP Key to Their Safety: Unforgivable Failure of the Ministry of the Interior?
A revealing USC study uncovers the ineffective AlertCops communication campaign: while the Camino breaks records, almost all walkers are unaware of the application that could save their lives. Women and young people, the most unprotected due to lack of information.
Santiago de Compostela, Spain – In alarming contrast to the growing popularity of Camino de Santiago, a recent investigation of the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) has brought to light a critical deficiency in pilgrim safety. The study, led by professor José Sixto García and financed by the Chair of the Camino de Santiago, concludes with a devastating certainty: the vast majority of walkers, a chilling 86%, is unaware of the existence of AlertCops, the security application promoted by the Ministry of the Interior itself.
This means that nine out of ten pilgrims are walking through Spain without knowing that there is a vital tool that would allow them to contact the State security forces in case of emergency. An unacceptable figure that shows a resounding failure in communication policies of the responsible institutions.
AlertCops: An Invisible Lifesaver for Thousands
AlertCops is not just any application. It is an initiative designed to be a direct bridge between citizens and security forces. For pilgrims, it offers functionalities that are real lifesavers:
- Public Guardian: It allows you to share the location in real time with the Civil Guard or the National Police, facilitating a quick and effective response to any risk situation.
- Automatic Translation Service: A crucial function for international pilgrims, allowing them to communicate emergencies without the language barrier.
Despite these essential features, which could guarantee greater peace of mind on a journey that is often done alone or through remote areas, the application remains in the shadows for the vast majority.
The Gender and Age Gap: Who is Left Most Unprotected?
Sixto García's study not only reveals a general lack of knowledge, but also delves into the worrying knowledge gaps:
- Gender: Even though the women They are the ones who express the greatest feeling of insecurity when doing the Camino, they are the men those who have greater knowledge of the application.
- Age: The figure is even more devastating among the youngest. An amazing 96% of pilgrims between 18 and 29 years old ignores the existence of AlertCops. The highest rate of knowledge is in the 45 to 59 age group, which suggests a lack of adaptation of communication to the channels and formats used by new generations.
Interest Exists, Communication Cruelly Fails
The research also sheds light on a key fact: almost half of those surveyed do use the “Buen Camino” application. This shows that Pilgrims ARE interested and willing to use applications linked to your route. The problem, therefore, is not a lack of user interest, but a Manifest negligence in the dissemination strategy by AlertCops.
Professor Sixto García is conclusive: the absence of knowledge shows a "failure in communication policies on the part of the institutions." He emphasizes that, although the Camino de Santiago is a mostly safe route, the usefulness of preventive tools such as AlertCops is "unquestionable."
It is incomprehensible that, with the resources available, a security tool so vital for a tourist and cultural phenomenon of this magnitude remains almost secret. The Ministry of the Interior and the institutions involved have an outstanding debt with the safety of the pilgrims. The lives and tranquility of thousands of people cannot depend on chance, but on an effective and mandatory communication policy.
