'Conflict maps' to deal with crime

'Conflict maps' to deal with crime

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The South Sumatra Police chief has
introduced a new approach to curb the growth of the region's
crime.

Insp. Gen. Suparto, who assumed his post as provincial police
chief only three months ago, said in Palembang on Wednesday that
the modern 'conflict map' approach had worked effectively in
reducing the region's crime rate to 2.6 percent
over the last three months.

Suparto claimed that he was already familiar with all the
areas of vice and crime in South Sumatra as well as the personal
traits and habits of regional outlaws.

"Once known as the 'home of killings', South Sumatra has one
of the highest murder rates in Indonesia," he said.

With the new approach, he instructed all police precinct
chiefs to draw up conflict maps in their respective areas in
order to identify possible outbreaks of hostilities and make
proper precautions.

"The region's rising crime rate in the last quarter was still
much lower than the national benchmark of 11 percent," Suparto
added.

On the other hand, Suparto is further urging his subordinates
to speed up the handling of reported criminal cases, as the rate
of settlement has so far only increased by 10 percent from as low
as 40 percent. (33)