Police move to sweep off streets<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Although less than a month in office, National Police Chief Gen.
\nSutanto is continuing to take populist measures designed to make
\na difference.<\/p>\n
After a crackdown on gambling in the first week of his tenure,
\nthe National Police are now embarking on an operation to clean
\nthe streets from thugs who have been omnipresent and spreading
\nfear among the community.<\/p>\n
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Aryanto Boedihardjo said
\non Monday that all regional police were involved in the operation
\naimed at ensuring public security. The crackdown, he said, is
\ntaking place on the streets, on public transportation and in
\nother public places.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Sutanto realizes that one of the most urgent public
\ncomplaints the police have to address is the feeling of a lack of
\nsecurity. Therefore, he has ordered provincial police to launch
\nthe operation,\" Aryanto said.<\/p>\n
He added that every province would draw up their own
\nguidelines, but the main target would be people who cause fear
\namong the public.<\/p>\n
The operation officially started on July 11, and so far 642
\nthugs have been arrested for 102 criminal acts, including
\nblackmail, extortion and intimidation.<\/p>\n
Thuggery has been common in major cities like Jakarta. The
\nthugs, who are usually grouped based on ethnicity, have even
\ndivided the capital into areas of operation.<\/p>\n
Clashes between the gangs frequently break out.<\/p>\n
Police have made little effort to stamp out gangs, despite
\ntheir acts of terror.<\/p>\n
Aryanto said that during the raids, the police seized 52 sharp
\nweapons, one homemade gun, 951 bottles of alcoholic drink and 33
\nmotorcycles that were either stolen or were used by the thugs.<\/p>\n
\"Police officers will continue patrolling public areas
\nconsidered vulnerable to street crime committed by the thugs as
\nwell as on public transportation such as buses and trains,\"
\nAryanto said.<\/p>\n
Police will also arrest people who extort money and those who
\nhire groups of people to occupy disputed property, Aryanto said.<\/p>\n
When asked whether the police would also conduct sweeps
\nagainst illegal \"traffic wardens,\" who usually regulate traffic
\nfor money, Aryanto said the police would only take action against
\nthem if they used force to demand money.<\/p>\n
\"We will work together with residents and other related
\ninstitutions in carrying out the operation,\" Aryanto said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-move-to-sweep-off-streets-1447893297",
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