Jakarta security concerns to linger in 2003: Police<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Jakartans should continue to be on alert in 2003 with security
\nthreats in the capital to remain high amid the protracted
\neconomic crisis and expected political rallies in the run-up to
\nthe 2004 elections, the city police chief said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"The number of crimes will remain high this year owing to the
\nlingering economic woes and the political situation in the
\ncountry,\" said Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara
\nin his year-end report at the city police headquarters.<\/p>\n
Makbul said the protracted economic crisis would continue to
\nlead some people into crime in order to survive.<\/p>\n
Heightened tension between political parties ahead of the 2004
\ngeneral election might also increase the crime rate, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Peaceful demonstrations can turn violent if opposing groups
\nget caught up in a heated conflict,\" Makbul said.<\/p>\n
The country's political arena is expected to become even more
\nhectic with more parties expected to participate in the 2004
\nelections. In the 1998 elections, only 48 parties took part. Thus
\nfar, 225 political parties have registered with the General
\nElections Commission for a feasibility screening to determine
\nwhether they are eligible to contest the upcoming elections.<\/p>\n
Makbul said the number of reported crimes in the city
\nincreased by 2.9 percent to 34,270 in 2002, compared to 33,284
\nthe previous year.<\/p>\n
Gambling, drug-related offenses and rape rose significantly
\nlast year from 2001.<\/p>\n
The number of reported gambling crimes jumped 61.29 percent to
\n400 cases in 2002 from 248 cases in 2001. Drug-related crimes,
\nincluding drug use and drug trafficking, surged to 2,642 cases
\nlast year, a 44.29 percent rise from 1,831 cases the previous
\nyear.<\/p>\n
There were 107 reported rapes in 2002, a jump of 20 percent
\nfrom the 89 cases in 2001. However, most observers believe there
\nare a significant number of unreported rapes, as many victims
\nprefer to remain silent rather than report the crime to police
\nbecause of psychological trauma and the perception that
\nperpetrators get off lightly.<\/p>\n
Despite the rising crime statistics in Jakarta last year,
\nMakbul said \"the situation is relatively secure and under
\ncontrol\".<\/p>\n
He said, as an example, that the number of bombing cases last
\ndropped to only eight from 14 in 2001.<\/p>\n
\"And the police managed to arrest most of the suspects
\nallegedly involved in the string of bombings in the capital over
\nthe past three years,\" Makbul said.<\/p>\n
He also said the police had succeeded in clearing 2.92 percent
\nmore of all crimes in 2002 compared to 2001.<\/p>\n
With continued security worries in the capital in 2003, Makbul
\nurged greater public participation in reporting crimes and
\nsuspicious activities to the police.<\/p>\n
Makbul referred to the free 112 emergency call center, which
\nis connected to radio station 91.1 FM Suara Metro Emergency
\nAssistance, with the full backing of 400 of the police's 500
\npatrol units.<\/p>\n
The chief also vowed that police officers would arrive at a
\ncrime scene within at least 15 minutes of receiving a report.<\/p>\n
With promised improved police services, Makbul urged an end to
\nvigilante justice. \"Please, don't take the law into your own
\nhands.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-security-concerns-to-linger-in-2003-police-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}