Security is the brand new luxurious in Gotham.
A brand new app referred to as Protector will supply New Yorkers on-demand entry to armed ex-military and legislation enforcement to chauffeur them round city.
“Extremely high-profile people like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have devoted full-time safety groups in place, however for most individuals, navigating safety choices is tougher than it needs to be,” Protector app founder and CEO Nick Sarath advised The Publish this week.
The app, which launches Tuesday in NYC and Los Angeles, prices $200 an hour for a Protector and a driver.
However the value can skyrocket relying on the shopper’s “mission,” and whether or not extra safety, a full motorcade, or different specialised measures are needed, mentioned Sarath, 25.
Purchasers may even select how they need their Protectors dressed – enterprise formal, enterprise informal or “tactical informal.” Car selections embrace Cadillac Escalades and Chevy Suburbans.
When the app is first launched, customers might want to e-book the service a day prematurely, however finally, even sooner, the CEO mentioned.
“Whether or not you want somebody to mix in along with your entourage or function a visual deterrent, the selection is yours,” mentioned Sarath, who mentioned he created the app to simplify private safety.
Two influencers had first crack on the app final week — and used it summon a pair of Protectors in black SUVs to choose them up at Newark Airport, after flying in from Los Angeles for New York Vogue Week.
“We simply ordered bodyguards to choose us up from the airport,” Josie Francis and Nicole Agner, each 29, nonchalantly captioned the now-viral Feb. 7 video displaying their bodyguards escorting them to ready SUVs.
“Uber may neverrrr,” they wrote within the clip, which has been seen over 10 million occasions.
All Protectors have licenses to hold hid weapons — and are packing whereas on responsibility, Sarath added, declining to supply additional element.
That’s comforting, in keeping with the influencers, who confessed in one other video they’ve “by no means felt extra protected in our lives,” due to the foursome of gunslingers trailing behind them.
“As two women of their twenties, experiencing NYC on this method was unbelievable — we’ve by no means felt safer within the metropolis. We’ve by no means skilled a service like Protector and actually, we’re already having withdrawals,” Francis and Agner advised The Publish this week.
The bodyguards are chosen primarily based on “their years of expertise and specialised models wherein they’ve served,” mentioned Sarath, a former Fb product designer and app creator.
They embrace former members of the Air Power Pararescue, SWAT and SEAL groups, and Particular Operations Forces, he mentioned.
“Throughout every task, my primary aim is to maintain our shoppers protected. Meaning assessing potential threats earlier than they occur, anticipating dangers earlier than they escalate, and ensuring whoever I’m defending can transfer by means of their day with out fear,” mentioned a Protector named Jim, who declined giving his final title for safety causes.
Being a Protector is a “pure match,” defined Jim, who mentioned he attracts on his practically 30 years of expertise as a Los Angeles police officer, and former Marine Corps fight sniper.
“Individuals rent us as a result of they should really feel protected and safe with out it affecting their life-style. If they will give attention to their life whereas I deal with their security, that’s mission achieved,” he mentioned.
