A crime fighting vending machine has debuted in Japan, fully equipped with a siren, revolving red light, direct line to the police department and 24-hour CCTV operation. Called the “Help Vending Machine,” it was provided by Coca Cola to help the Aichi prefecture cut down on crime.

When a door on the front of the machine is opened, the siren starts screaming and the cop lights start revolving. There is a phone inside the door which automatically dials 110 (the police hotline) when the handset is picked up.

At about 1:13 in the video below, a woman gets mugged and within seconds is in contact with the police. This is undoubtedly faster contact than could be achieved via any other method, but she was right in front of the machine when the incident took place.

The 24-hour surveillance is a worry for everyone and this has already been voiced with some stylish graffiti on the machine, reading “surveillance society” in Japanese. Seriously, I thought that was part of the original paint job at first – it’s all centered and neat.

Just one thing, while these machines may actually work to deter crime (or at least move it elsewhere), no one will be buying drinks from them. Come on Coca Cola! I’d actively keep at least a few meters between me and one of these machines, not just because I hate surveillance, but out of fear of setting off the alarm. It’s just like how we all know not to touch expensive cars.

Sources:
Lets Japan and DVICE