Like Entering a Mall: South Jakarta Neighbourhood Uses Smart Gate for Alley Access to Prevent Theft

Residents in RT 11/RW 07, Gandaria Utara, South Jakarta, are utilising automatic gate technology, or smart gates similar to those in shopping mall car parks, for accessing and exiting the alleys. This is being done to prevent theft.

Observations at the location on Tuesday (14/4/2026) showed that the smart gates have been installed at four entry points to the RT area. One of them is located at Gang H Jeni I.

The smart gates use solar panels as their power source. The gates operate using a card system.

Only local residents possess cards that allow them to open the smart gates. CCTV cameras are also installed right at the gates.

RT 11 Chairman, Imam Basori, stated that the smart gates are not always closed. He mentioned that the gates are only closed from 00:00 to 05:30 WIB.

According to him, this is the time when theft is most likely to occur. He said that only residents holding access cards can enter and exit during that period.

Imam said that he was the one who proposed the idea of using this technology to the residents. He mentioned that the idea was put forward after residents became concerned about the theft of motor vehicles and the frequent passage of vehicles through the alleys at night.

“Perhaps we can take inspiration from what has already been implemented in offices or luxury housing complexes. There’s no harm in applying it to narrow, densely populated alley environments like this. So, we made it simple but with many benefits, and this, yes,” said Imam (43).

Imam, who is also a police member from the Intelligence and Security Agency (Intelkam) at National Police Headquarters, said that every resident in his neighbourhood has a registered card for accessing entry and exit through the smart gates. He said that residents feel safer with the system.

“From morning until night, it remains open. But from midnight until dawn, we close it using the card access system. This is to provide a sense of security so that residents can rest peacefully,” he explained.

Imam said that the gates were built during the previous Ramadan. He mentioned that the construction of the smart gates utilised RT operational funds of Rp 2.5 million per month. These funds were supplemented by community self-funding.

“Alhamdulillah, since this has been in place, there have been no incidents. At the very least, this is a preventive effort to make potential criminals think twice before entering,” he said.

“The access device costs around Rp 1 million, while the gate itself we built ourselves through gotong royong,” he added.

Imam hopes that the efforts of RT 11 residents can make the environment safe and comfortable. He admitted that he wants the RT operational funds from the DKI Provincial Government to benefit the residents in his RT.

“If possible, in areas where there are village funds, but for us, it’s operational funds. But my hope is to truly maximise those funds. At least for income or whatever form it takes, I’ll think about it later; this is still in the planning stage. At the very least, it can help the community; we’ll set aside from those funds to assist the people,” he stated.

Currently, RT 11 also has a catfish pond to help with residents’ food needs. They have also built a small garden for residents’ activities.