Just press the button!<\/p>\n
If you experience a break-in or have learned of a nearby
\nrobbery there are a number of things you could do. The Jakarta
\nPolice, however, suggest activating a panic button is the
\nquickest way to get help. They will arrive within minutes to
\nhandle the situation.
\n That is, if you have subscribed to the panic button system.<\/p>\n
The system, which is now in its trial stages, is a 24-hour
\nalarm system that can send a signal from the subscribers'
\npremises to city police headquarters, which forwards the message
\nto the station closest to the \"situation\".<\/p>\n
The panic button actually consists of two buttons -- one red,
\none green. The red button sends a message to the police
\nto alert them to a crime, while the green button is a direct call
\nfor police help.<\/p>\n
Individuals or companies can subscribe to the Rp 2.6 billion
\n(almost US$260) system, which can be installed in buildings and
\ncars. Subscribers will pay Rp 150,000 to the provider as a
\nmonthly subscription fee.<\/p>\n
Six sub-precincts -- Kebayoran Lama sub-precinct in South
\nJakarta, Taman Sari, Kebun Jeruk and Tanjung Duren sub-precincts
\nin West Jakarta and East Jakarta's Kelapa Gading sub-precinct and
\nTanjung Priok sub-precinct in North Jakarta are reportedly ready
\nto apply the panic button system. It is not known whether people
\nliving in West Java or Banten areas bordering with Jakarta can
\ninstall the system.<\/p>\n
The panic button system is apparently another source of pride
\nfor the city police, aside from the Traffic Management Center
\n(TMC), which was launched in April this year. The TMC is
\nsupported by a number of cars and motorcycles that use as a
\nnavigation tool the global positioning system. The center is also
\nequipped with 25 close circuit televisions (CCTV) and short
\nmessaging service (SMS) to enable police headquarters to
\nprovide rapid and reliable service through the deployment of
\nofficers to the scene in \"record\" time.<\/p>\n
Emergency services, including calling the number 112, are
\nalso linked to the police's radio station. A network that appears
\nto offer assurance to the people that the police are serious in
\nimproving public services and protecting them.<\/p>\n
At this juncture, the police deserve a thumbs up.<\/p>\n
However, subscribers are subject to another charge once they
\npush that formidable button and the police arrive on their
\ndoorstep. This could give rise to problems as the amount of the
\nfee has not been specified. It is understandable then that many
\nare skeptical of whether the police will provide equal service
\nto all subscribers.<\/p>\n
The name of the caller and their address could also be
\ninformation used against the subscriber in the calculation of the
\nservice charge. Likewise, experience shows that in public service
\nthose who can pay and those who cannot are treated as entirely
\ndifferent breeds.<\/p>\n
Some have said the panic button system holds promise but
\nwarned against sacrificing the interests of the public at large,
\nas only those who can afford it are eligible for the service.<\/p>\n
The police need to show they are committed to upholding their
\nprofessionalism in serving and protecting the people. Recent
\nreports said several high-ranking police officers were questioned
\nfor their alleged involvement in various crimes, including bank
\nfraud scandals. A rape victim has also filed a complaint over
\nher treatment by the police.<\/p>\n
Police Watch chairman Rashid Lubis has welcomed the panic
\nbutton system, but says it creates the possibility of
\npreferential treatment by the police in responding to reports of
\nhome invasion and other emergency situations.<\/p>\n
The panic button system is a mere tool for the city police to
\nimprove their public service. Frankly -- in general -- the police
\nhave mastered advanced technology in dealing with crime. The
\nsuccessful raid on Azahari bin Husin's hideout in Batu, East
\nJava, is just one example of the proper application of technology
\nin intelligence operations.<\/p>\n
Whatever the technology mastered by the police, it is \"the man
\nholding the gun who calls the shots\". The public can only hope
\nthat the officers responding to panic button calls are the ones
\nwho call the shots.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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