Elite troops deployed in city to fight crime
Elite troops deployed in city to fight crime
JAKARTA (JP): City police deployed on Saturday their elite
mobile regiment force to hunt down hoodlum bosses in an effort to
diminish increasing street crimes.
The elite force, consisting of dozens of high-talented armed
personnel, have been assigned to concentrate on areas believed to
be the most dangerous sites for passers-by and motorists.
Blok M shopping area in South Jakarta, now notorious for
hoodlums, is one of the targets.
The first cleanup operation took place soon after a police
lieutenant was killed by hoodlums in Blok M in March this year.
The deployment is in answer to continuing brutal actions of
criminals and hoodlums in the city which have apparently raised
public concern about crime.
The force is directly supervised by the secretary of the
Jakarta crime investigation division, Lt. Col. Edi Darnadi.
"We must respond to public demands promptly," Edi said.
Local media has continuously reported the increasing presence
of street hoodlums, locally known as preman, in most public
areas.
The main targets of the hoodlums are passers-by in business
centers, public places and on busy roads.
Victims could be anybody, including women, school children,
retired servicemen and foreigners.
Some hoodlums are heavily armed and equipped with at least one
vehicle.
Their area of operation has extended to the outskirts of the
city, such as Tangerang and Bekasi.
In a series of recent burglaries in the two latter areas,
bandits, working with more than five members, always used a car.
They were all equipped with sharp weapons, and some of them had
guns.
The criminals easily broke into houses, threatened family
members and made off with valuable goods and cash without fear of
being caught by neighbors. They kept a lookout outside the house.
Public unrest is also aroused due to the increasing crime in
the city.
Reports on the increase in public concern also led the city
police chief early last week to order all heads of police
precincts to take immediate, stern action against local bandits.
Until yesterday, hundreds of street hoodlums, including a few
group leaders, have been apprehended in and around the city.
So far, none of the hoodlums have been reported shot.
In response to the increasing brutal action of the criminals,
most of the people urged the authorities to take stern measures
against them, such as shooting them if they try to run away.
It is not known if the military will take part in the ongoing
cleanup operation. (bsr)