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.