Crime rate in Jakarta down over past 6 months
Crime rate in Jakarta down over past 6 months
JAKARTA (JP): The capital's crime rate has dropped by 13 percent over the past six months, with assault and vehicle theft down by 50 percent and 70 percent respectively, police said yesterday.
Police records indicate that 1,844 crimes were committed in June and 1,761 in July. In August 1,707 cases were recorded and in September the number dropped further to 1,687. In October and November there were 1,645 and 1,602 cases respectively.
The most dramatic drop has been in assault and vehicle theft, City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said.
"The figures indicate that during the past six months assault and vehicle theft have dropped by 50 percent and 70 percent respectively," he said.
City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo said on Tuesday that the steady decline in the number of crimes reported indicated that the continuous anti-crime operations conducted in the city had borne fruit.
Dibyo made the statements after chairing a monthly crime and security evaluation with his subordinates.
A total of 15,992 people have so far been arrested in the special operation this year. Police say those apprehended included street hoodlums, prostitutes and people not in possession of identification cards.
The operations involved more than half of the 15,000 police posted in Greater Jakarta. The City Military Command supported the operation.
City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said yesterday that about 1,000 sharp weapons and three guns were seized during the operation.
Despite the drop in the number of crimes reported, police have repeatedly called on residents to be on the alert all the times against criminal activity.
Burglaries have taken place in residential complexes in Bekasi, Tangerang and Depok, all in West Java, during the past five days, Bekasi police chief Lt. Col. Elfrizo Tobing confirmed yesterday. However, he did not give details.
Tobing said that burglars liked to carry out their crimes during the wet season.
"The recent heavy rains have meant neighbors have not been able to hear screams or calls for help," he said.
"It means that the perpetrators have been able to carry out their actions safely," he added.
City Police are now preparing another anti-crime operation to secure the coming Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The operation, code-named Operasi Lilin (Operation Candle), will start next week.
According to Dibyo, a total of 7,500 police will be deployed to monitor residential areas, entertainment centers and places of worship over the coming period. A roll of police taking part in the operation will be called tomorrow at the Senayan East parking lot in Central Jakarta. (bsr/03)