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)