Elite police regiment used to fight robbers

Elite police regiment used to fight robbers

JAKARTA (JP): City police chiefs have deployed 30 members of
their elite mobile regiment to help the Bekasi police protect
local people from robbers.

"The 30 plainclothes officers armed with standard detective
equipment, such as guns and handcuffs, are also assigned to train
the area's residents, particularly youngsters, on how to guard
their own villages," City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna
said yesterday.

The regency of Bekasi, home to 2.7 million people, is located
30 kms east of the capital. It covers 1,245 square kilometers. It
has been rocked by a series of five robberies and gang rapes in
the past few weeks.

Most of the incidents took place in remote villages, far away
from other houses and police stations.

Besides stealing money and jewelry, the criminals also used
the opportunity to rape the female members of the families they
robbed.

The arrival of the 30 officers from Jakarta has been warmly
welcomed by the local community.

"We really hope that the elite force will deter the criminals,
most of whom are outsiders, from committing crimes in this area,"
Raman Matang, 57, a senior resident, told The Jakarta Post in
Bekasi yesterday.

"Kick the criminals out of this town," said a businessman, who
refused to be named.

Bekasi Police Chief Lt. Col. Elfrizo Tobing said: "Many
villages here have turned into lonely, gloomy areas after
property developers 'cleared' nearby neighborhoods. This has
apparently given many opportunities to the bandits to carry out
their missions." (bsr)