8,000 officers on duty over the New Year holiday

JAKARTA (JP): A total of 8,076 security personnel will be deployed to secure the city over the Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations.

According to City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko, the number of personnel consists of those from the police, military and other related institutions.

The personnel will be assigned in a 20-day operation, code named Operasi Lilin (Operation Candle), beginning next Monday and lasting to Jan. 7, Bambang said last Tuesday.

"The main target of the operation is to secure churches, entertainment and shopping centers and manage the traffic in the city," the spokesman said.

The operation is carried out every year by the City Police Headquarters in order to help those celebrating the two festive days feel safe and secure to enjoy the fiesta.

Bambang said that city police have also suggested the governor's office avoid setting up only one central point for Jakartans to celebrate New Year's Eve to avoid the possibility of heavy traffic jams and an increase in crime.

"Based on last year's record, we have proposed to the city municipality office to set up a number of central points for the New Year's Eve celebrations in the five areas of the city," he said, referring the Central, North, East, South, West Jakarta areas. (bsr)