Feeling Unsafe in a Taxi? Man Records Video for Women To Use

Feeling safe while out in public is something we all hope for, but sadly it isn't always a reality, which is what led this man to record his own safety videos for people to use.

As an actor, Joshua Summerfield, 31, is used to using his creative talents to play a role, but recently he decided to play the role of a protector instead. Summerfield, from Los Angeles, California, recorded a number of videos which people can play when they sense they're in a potentially dangerous situation to make it sound like they're having a real conversation.

One of Summerfield's latest videos was to help anyone feeling unsafe in a taxi, as he told Newsweek that followers have contacted him to say that "the video helped them and got them out of an unsafe or sketchy situation, and got them home safely."

He said: "The number of messages I have received from people, saying they have saved the video and shared it with their friends to protect them in certain situations has been mind-blowing. At the same time, it lets me know I'm doing the right thing and helping people feel safe."

Public safety is a concern for many, particularly women, as statistics by UN Women revealed that almost nine in 10 women across the world feel unsafe in public spaces. A recent Gallup poll looked at the concerns and realities that women in the United States face on a daily basis, showing that women are much more fearful for their personal safety than men.

The results, published in 2023, revealed that 47 percent of women worried about being sexually assaulted in public, compared to nine percent of men, which was the largest contrast between the genders. Additionally, 47 percent of women worried about getting mugged, and 40 percent feared their home being burglarized.

This followed a previous Gallup poll in 2018 which highlighted the somber fact that men typically feel safer than women, with 85 percent compared to 64 percent overall, and just 55 percent of women feeling safe enough to walk alone at night.

As a way of helping anyone who does fear for their safety, Summerfield records himself talking to the camera, saying things such as "where you at right now?" and "I see your location too, so I'll know when you get here." Each time he says something, Summerfield leaves an intentional pause so that people can pretend to respond to him, making it seems like a real conversation.

He has posted many variations of the video, but the clip that Summerfield posted on TikTok (@jflexx_summerfield) on October 1 has been one of his most successful, generating over 7.8 million views and more than 708,000 likes.

"There have been hundreds, if not thousands of people who have used it," he told Newsweek. "From TikTok alone, the video has over a quarter of a million saves, along with friends I know who told me that they have saved and used it. It's amazing to know my voice can help people, it has truly been a blessing to know.

"Whether you are in a taxi, or walking alone at night, or being harassed, you can use my videos to feel safe and secure. I will continue to make more of these videos and different versions as there seems to be a huge demand for them."

Summerfield's viral post has received an incredible 9,300 comments so far, with many social media users thanking him for creating such useful sound bites.

One comment reads: "You're an actual hero for making this. Thank you for thinking of others."

Another person wrote: "You are truly a kind soul, I'm sure this will help many feel at ease."

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