Windhoek council greenlights mobile panic button despite concerns

The Windhoek City Council discussed the merits of making an emergency cellphone button available to residents on Thursday.

Participation would be voluntary, and would come with a subscription fee.

Councillors expressed some concerns about its feasibility, yet gave the project the green light.

Councillor Ivan Skrywer said the idea is good, but expressed concern that the initiative would lead to the commercialisation of fighting crime.

“I worry that it will become a scenario of: The more you pay, the more attention you get,” he said.

Windhoek City Police chief Leevi Ileka assured the council that steps had been taken to ensure normal operations would continue, leaving no-one disadvantaged by the project.

He said this type of emergency button works well in cities around the world.

Ileka expressed full confidence in the police’s ability to implement the initiative.

Councillor Job Amupanda expressed some doubts over the logistics of emergency buttons, but supported the police chief.

“Those of us who don’t think it is possible shouldn’t stand in the way of those who think they can do it,” he said.