Ecuador: panic buttons, video cameras on taxis attempt to deter crime

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Elcomercio.com reported the first reaction of Catalina Torres to board a yellow cab was curious. Since the seat back of the unit, he saw a camera located on the door that led to her and another to the driver. It was the first time I took such a unit after two years ago, was the victim of an express kidnapping. This is a security system that implements a month in Quito National Traffic Agency (NTA) to enhance public safety. Safe Transport is the project that includes the installation of cameras and panic buttons inside taxis and city buses, inter-provincial and intra-provincial. According to Jorge Calderon, president of the National Federation of Taxi, the initiative serves to eradicate express kidnapping and all sorts of possible crime and violence. This initiative is planned to include 55 000 units of commercial and public transport nationwide: 17 000 buses and 38 000 conventional taxis. The safety kit comprises two video cameras with infrared recording capabilities, help buttons (one in the case of buses and three for taxis), digital video recorder, a device of rast r eo (GPS ) and a battery. Torres says that from the day he was express kidnapping victim is more careful when using a taxi.’s Why we think the measure works to passenger safety. “It makes me more confident because they can help in a fast”. Until last Wednesday 9000 kits were installed in 186 buses and taxi cooperatives conventional Guayas, Santa Elena, Tungurahua, and Pichincha Gold. These are delivered free of charge to drivers and their implementation is expected to culminate in December. The investment amounts to USD 94 million. Domenica Canadas, who used a taxi with cameras and panic buttons for the first time last Tuesday, she felt safe. He learned that these computers are connected to the central ECU-911. There is alerted in case a driver or a passenger press the panic button and transmitting real-time audio and images that capture devices in the unit. However, he says he feels observed and restless not knowing what you will use the videos obtained from inside the taxi. Calderon explained that the cameras record all the time the car is on, but it gives notice to the authorities only when the button is pressed. He also explained that the videos are kept for three days and after that time are automatically deleted. “The videos may be used only in judicial proceedings, at the request of the prosecution.” These technological equipment and took their first results. Among the drivers talking about the assault two weeks ago suffered a Sangolquí mate. Three unidentified threatened with firearms and he, without noticing, pressed the panic button. He was thrown out of the automobile, but the signal came to ECU-911 and an operative armed police, arrested the suspects and the vehicle was returned to its owner. “Users of taxis and we feel safer,” said Carmen Fernandez, a young woman whose work uses daily taxi service. She has already taken units with cameras and panic buttons. He says he is glad that, in case of danger, the help will come soon. But others still have doubts about the system. Bernarda eg T. addressed a camera unit and the driver did not explain what they were for. “I think we need to warn the drivers we do not know what are the buttons”. Therefore, the National Federation of Taxi training campaigns with drivers to explain to passengers the safety features of the kit. Beginning in 2014, taxi drivers must pay about $ 36 a year for data transmission. Payments can be made ​​directly on the CNT. Daniel Adler POV / security expert ‘The system has its flaws’ “It’s a deterrent. Security cameras and panic buttons should be accompanied by some training for the passenger. Any cab driver can show where the buttons are located, but you should be more careful with the information you give and to whom the da. You should change the location of the panic buttons to not notice if the driver or the user presses it. They are currently located in a place where both must move your hand and the suspect will be easy to notice. Also, knowing the exact location of this security system, any suspect can be raised with a cap or goggles and will not be identified, or you can put some kind of paint on the camera and you can not know the criminal event. 50% is a measure successful. It would be advisable for the cameras and buttons are hidden and which are not always located in the same place in all units, because the information can be used for malicious users and become a measure obsolete. It will be a positive step, until the suspects know how to circumvent the securities “. Installation Between 50 and 100 computers installed ANT daily in each province. Taxi drivers are trained on the parts of the device and its operation. During installation of the equipment is not dismantled the car, it is designed to adapt to it. According to the National Federation of Taxi, nationally there are about 60 000 conventional units. Read Article