Bekasi adopts 'koban' policing<\/p>\n
Wahyuana , The Jakarta Post\/Bekasi<\/p>\n
As part of police reform, the Bekasi Police will establish two
\nnew police posts this month, adopting the koban concept, which
\noriginated in Japan.<\/p>\n
\"This project encourages closer relations between the police
\nand the community. We plan to have nine more koban next year. The
\nJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will finance the
\nproject,\" Bekasi Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Edward Syah Pernong
\ntold The Jakarta Post recently.<\/p>\n
\"If this project succeeds, there will be dozens of koban in
\nBekasi -- particularly in residential areas, industrial zones and
\non commercial premises.\"<\/p>\n
Koban are essentially one-room depots, which were introduced
\nfor the first time in 1881, in Japan, to protect officers from
\nthe elements. Koban are open around the clock, with police
\nofficers working in three shifts, to fight crime and offer
\nassistance. Police duties include helping lost children and
\ngiving street directions.<\/p>\n
Koban have also been adopted by Singapore, Fiji and Brazil.<\/p>\n
Project officer Supt. Iguchi Shigeo told the Post that there
\nare around 420 koban in Tokyo -- which has a population of around
\n7.98 million. A koban is located in every 1.5 kilometer radius
\nand responsible for the security and safety of around 19,000
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
Shigeo said the concept had successfully minimized the crime
\nrate in Japan's big cities.<\/p>\n
The two koban to be built in Bekasi will be situated in front
\nof Giant hypermarket near the West Bekasi toll gate and in Pondok
\nUngu housing complex, North Bekasi.<\/p>\n
Each post is expected to serve between 300 and 500 families.
\nThe post in Pondok Ungu will accommodate nine officers working in
\nthree shifts, but the post in front of Giant will be used by up
\nto 15 officers.<\/p>\n
At each koban a patrol car and two motorcycles will be on
\nstandby. Each officer will have a walkie-talkie and access to the
\nkoban's computer, telephone and facsimile facilities.<\/p>\n
Shigeo said, according to Indonesia's neighborhood unit (RT)
\nand community unit (RW) system, ideally, each RW would have one
\nkoban.<\/p>\n
\"In line with the concept of koban, police officers must
\nactively approach citizens. They must meet all residents on their
\nterritory, and visit them at least twice a year to see how they
\nare doing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The National Police have been under the military for a long
\ntime. It will take a long time to change that perception because
\nthe people here are afraid to deal with the police,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Four Japanese senior police officers are in Bekasi to train
\nBekasi Police officers.<\/p>\n
Shigeo said the JICA has been working for two years to support
\nthe police reform movement here, including the establishment of
\nkoban.<\/p>\n
\"Next year, we will hand over communication radios for around
\n2,000 officers, so they can communicate directly with Bekasi
\nPolice Headquarters,\" he said.<\/p>\n
JICA will also award scholarships to 25 middle-ranked
\nofficials to study law enforcement, DNA analysis and criminal
\nidentification in Japan.<\/p>\n
Odie, a resident, said he thought the project would benefit
\nthe community.<\/p>\n
\"I think the koban concept is good. We can get to know the
\npolice officers better. I just hope they don't sit there staring
\nat us, that would be plain scary.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bekasi-adopts-koban-policing-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}