The police will meet with representatives of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce soon to discuss the prospect of installing distress call buttons in commercial banks and major business houses.
This is in a bid to improve police response time and deter crime.
Acting Police Commissioner, David Manning, said the plan is to get this initiative rolling with the Chamber of Commerce in Port Moresby before doing the same for the other major centres throughout the country.
“The proposal to install distress call buttons connecting major business houses with the main police operations centre will prompt police to respond immediately and accurately when businesses come under criminal attack.
“This is one of my many initiatives specifically formulated to complement the Marape-Steven Government’s motto of taking back PNG. If we can respond quickly and accurately we will reduce crime significantly and bolster more investor confidence.
“Violent armed hold-ups and robberies remain a major threat to businesses across the nation and therefore we must improve our partnership with the community in the fight against crime.
“Our discussions will be centred on funding and acquisition of such devices and the training required for businesses to be accustomed to using such devices,” Manning said.
He stated that in a bid to clamp down on carjackings in towns and cities, the Constabulary will also explore the option of installing a vehicle tracking system where anyone can subscribe and be connected to the police network. He said this will help the constabulary track and recover vehicles in the event they are stolen by criminals.
“We are mindful of people’s privacy but it is a choice they can make to protect their own properties from crime and criminals. We live in a digital age of computers, internet communication and technology but we are not fully maximising the use of such resources.
“Criminals are becoming more cunning and smarter but we can stop them if we develop a more robust strategy through partnership, network and collaboration between the police and the community,” Acting Commissioner Manning stated.