Have you seen the new TV-commercial of the Dutch Government yet? Concerning the Burgernet-App? This month the Dutch Government recently started broadcasting the national campaign ‘Meld je aan voor Burgernet’. Burgernet is a unique collaboration between citizens, police and local government to protect and provide local safety in the Netherlands. To increase the awareness of this free app, the Dutch government implemented a national TV commercial, which can be seen below the text (only in Dutch available).
How does it work? Burgernet is a simple system which will be used for urgent cases; after receiving a clear and detailed description of a burglary, robbery, a missing child or hit-and-run action, the police will immediately start the Burgernet-action, Burgernet-participants will receive a message in which the police ask citizens to keep their eyes on a person(s) or vehicle(s). The advantage of this app is that users will receive messages of events going on at their current location. Thus, the more people are participating the bigger the chance that the police can trace a suspect or missing person. Currently, 1 out of 10 Burgetnet-actions are being solved by receiving tips of participants. Participants with information can directly call to the police with a free Burgernet-service number 0800-0011, the information that is being received will immediately go to the nearest police. At the end of a Burgernet-action participants will also receive a message concerning the results. Nowadays, social media is a very important communication tool, therefore Burgernet-messages are also going to be shared through Twitter, consequently more people will be involved and the effectiveness of Burgernet will increase.
What do you think of this Burgernet-App? I haven’t heard of such governmental app before and I think it’s quite unique as it is a good application of modern technology and social media combined with safety because together we can create a safer environment. So I was wondering have any of you heard of the Burgernet-App or heard of such kind of app before? Is it already applied in other countries? I’m curious about your opinions, feel free to leave a comment.
Sources:
https://www.burgernet.nl
http://www.deweekkrant.nl/artikel/2013/september/20/burgernet_doe_mee
I actually heard of the Burgernet App before. After some research I found some pros and cons for the burgernet app.
Advantages of using the Burgernet App in your town:
– More participation of citizens. The use of the Burgernet App is the instrument for intelligent use of civilians.
– More reciprocity between police and citizens.
– More chance of arresting “criminals” and thereby more chance to solve crimes
There are also some disadvantages of the use of Burgernet app
– Some people see Burgernet as a hotline for telling tales (not reporting real matters)
– It’s a relatively expensive tool
– With the use of burgernet some great progresses can be made, but it’s not totally clear at the moment whether these successes can also be made by using other (less expensive) tools
– Setting up the burgernet app in a town will costs a lot of effort for the municipality. Human capacity and financial capacity.
But after all I think its a great initiave I think because together we can make a better world!