[b]Deterring street

Deterring street
criminals

From Suara Karya

The public is delighted to witness successful police
operations against criminals, as frequently reported on
television, or watch bandits being caught red-handed and seized
by local people.

A newspaper recently reported the capture of three criminals
in their attempted holdup of a public transport vehicle in
Jakarta at night. The three, two of whom were recidivists, were
seized after a passenger resisted their threat and shouted for
help, which was responded to by the local community.

Responsiveness and mutual help among citizens in the face
criminal action should indeed be further boosted, while the
courage of certain individuals to fight thugs and seek community
assistance deserves appreciation.

With that kind of public response and solidarity in times of
danger, criminals will be deterred. But we all should be highly
alert to muggers' attempts, when under pressure, to act and shout
as if they were being robbed themselves.

M. HANAFI
Jakarta