Just press the button!

Just press the button!

If you experience a break-in or have learned of a nearby
robbery there are a number of things you could do. The Jakarta
Police, however, suggest activating a panic button is the
quickest way to get help. They will arrive within minutes to
handle the situation.
That is, if you have subscribed to the panic button system.

The system, which is now in its trial stages, is a 24-hour
alarm system that can send a signal from the subscribers'
premises to city police headquarters, which forwards the message
to the station closest to the "situation".

The panic button actually consists of two buttons -- one red,
one green. The red button sends a message to the police
to alert them to a crime, while the green button is a direct call
for police help.

Individuals or companies can subscribe to the Rp 2.6 billion
(almost US$260) system, which can be installed in buildings and
cars. Subscribers will pay Rp 150,000 to the provider as a
monthly subscription fee.

Six sub-precincts -- Kebayoran Lama sub-precinct in South
Jakarta, Taman Sari, Kebun Jeruk and Tanjung Duren sub-precincts
in West Jakarta and East Jakarta's Kelapa Gading sub-precinct and
Tanjung Priok sub-precinct in North Jakarta are reportedly ready
to apply the panic button system. It is not known whether people
living in West Java or Banten areas bordering with Jakarta can
install the system.

The panic button system is apparently another source of pride
for the city police, aside from the Traffic Management Center
(TMC), which was launched in April this year. The TMC is
supported by a number of cars and motorcycles that use as a
navigation tool the global positioning system. The center is also
equipped with 25 close circuit televisions (CCTV) and short
messaging service (SMS) to enable police headquarters to
provide rapid and reliable service through the deployment of
officers to the scene in "record" time.

Emergency services, including calling the number 112, are
also linked to the police's radio station. A network that appears
to offer assurance to the people that the police are serious in
improving public services and protecting them.

At this juncture, the police deserve a thumbs up.

However, subscribers are subject to another charge once they
push that formidable button and the police arrive on their
doorstep. This could give rise to problems as the amount of the
fee has not been specified. It is understandable then that many
are skeptical of whether the police will provide equal service
to all subscribers.

The name of the caller and their address could also be
information used against the subscriber in the calculation of the
service charge. Likewise, experience shows that in public service
those who can pay and those who cannot are treated as entirely
different breeds.

Some have said the panic button system holds promise but
warned against sacrificing the interests of the public at large,
as only those who can afford it are eligible for the service.

The police need to show they are committed to upholding their
professionalism in serving and protecting the people. Recent
reports said several high-ranking police officers were questioned
for their alleged involvement in various crimes, including bank
fraud scandals. A rape victim has also filed a complaint over
her treatment by the police.

Police Watch chairman Rashid Lubis has welcomed the panic
button system, but says it creates the possibility of
preferential treatment by the police in responding to reports of
home invasion and other emergency situations.

The panic button system is a mere tool for the city police to
improve their public service. Frankly -- in general -- the police
have mastered advanced technology in dealing with crime. The
successful raid on Azahari bin Husin's hideout in Batu, East
Java, is just one example of the proper application of technology
in intelligence operations.

Whatever the technology mastered by the police, it is "the man
holding the gun who calls the shots". The public can only hope
that the officers responding to panic button calls are the ones
who call the shots.