Crimes in housing complex to rise

JAKARTA: Crime in the city's housing complexes will increase in the days preceding and proceeding Idul Fitri celebrations, a criminologist at University Indonesia says.

"Many people in the complexes will leave their houses to celebrate the Muslim festivities in their hometowns," criminologist M. Mustafa said on Wednesday.

According to him, security officers often paid no attention to the exodus and therefore crimes in the complexes went unattended. Also many security guards would get holidays for Lebaran, he said.

But he said that the problem could be tackled with a strong solidarity among residents. "Those who do not leave their houses for Lebaran should help observe the vacant houses. With a solidarity among residents, the crimes can be avoided," he told Radio Elshinta on Wednesday.

He said to anticipate bomb attacks in the city the police should improve security measures in public places, such as shopping malls and houses of worship.

Last year, the city saw a series of bomb attacks in several churches. Several people were injured. --JP