East Java Police Chief Hears Residents’ Concerns During Pre-Dawn Mosque Visits
Surabaya (ANTARA) - East Java Police Chief Inspector General Dekananto Eko Purwono urged the public to help maintain security and public order during a pre-dawn community visit at Al Hikmah Mosque in Gayungsari, Surabaya, on Saturday.
“Police must be closer to the public. We must understand problems at grassroots level, then sit down together to find solutions,” Dekananto said.
The event, which began at 3.30am local time, provided East Java Police with an opportunity to strengthen ties with Islamic scholars and hear residents’ views on security in their neighbourhoods. It was also part of the National Police Chief’s programme, Police with the Community.
Dekananto stressed that police must benefit the public. He said public trust had to be maintained through professional, humane and principled service.
“Police should not make people’s lives harder. I urge all officers to win the public’s trust, not take their property. Never hurt people, through either words or actions,” he said.
He added that officers found to have broken the law or infringed residents’ rights would face strict sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations.
During a discussion with worshippers, Dekananto highlighted the threat posed by drug trafficking to the younger generation. He said the National Police Chief’s focus on combating illicit narcotics distribution must be pursued uncompromisingly across East Java.
“We need information from residents. If you see drug trafficking, report it immediately. We will take firm action, including tracing assets derived from crime,” Dekananto said.
Police are also prioritising cases of motor vehicle theft and robbery. He instructed officers to take every public report seriously, regardless of the value of the victim’s losses.
Dekananto acknowledged that limited personnel posed a challenge to delivering services to the public. Nevertheless, police would continue to improve services and deal seriously with residents’ reports.
The East Java Police Chief also responded to residents’ complaints about disturbances to neighbourhood order caused by excessively loud sound systems, commonly known as “sound horeg”.
He said he would co-ordinate with relevant parties to regulate the use of the sound systems in accordance with applicable rules.
“Through these pre-dawn visits, we hope to clear communication barriers. Direct feedback from residents is our energy as we work to keep East Java safe and peaceful,” he said.