Hoodlums are seeds of organized crime: Dibyo
Hoodlums are seeds of organized crime: Dibyo
JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo warned
yesterday against the rising phenomenon of hoodlums as they are
the seeds of organized crime.
Dibyo said the fight against hoodlums should start as soon as
possible, adding that it would be easier and cheaper than
battling an organized crime ring.
"It will be more difficult for police to cope with the
hoodlums if they are organized," he said.
Dibyo opened yesterday a workshop on the prevention of
hoodlums. Participating were dozens of high and middle-ranking
police officers.
Hoodlums, or preman as they are commonly referred to here, are
a rising phenomenon in major urban centers in the country. They
vary from sidewalk ruffians, market extortionists to pseudo-
legitimate debt collectors.
Their rise has mostly been without an organized ring, as most
of the hoodlums are unemployed youth.
Dibyo told his fellow officers to learn more about the history
of organized crime in other countries in anticipation of its
growth here.
The notorious Yakuza or Boryokudan in Japan, he said, could be
an example of how petty criminals have evolved into one of the
most sophisticated crime organizations in the world.
"The Boryokudan's embryo was the illegal gambling operations
at the night market and public places," he said adding that the
organization has now developed into a debt collecting and
security service.
The hoodlums here, Dibyo said, have already been involved in
land appropriations and debt collecting activities.
He also flatly denied suggestions that many hoodlums are
"protected" by certain high ranking people.
In an effort to fight hoodlums, Dibyo said the police need
help from all related departments.
"We need an integrated cooperation to solve this complicated
problem," he said.
In 1995, while serving as Jakarta's police chief, Dibyo
pledged to clear hoodlums from the streets of the capital. His
pledge was precipitated by the murder of an off duty police
officer by hoodlums at the Blok M bus terminal, South Jakarta.
Psychiatrist Mintarsih A. Latief said yesterday that a
combined security and social approach should be employed when
dealing with hoodlums.
She acknowledged that a security approach would likely have
quick results, usually supported by a drop in the crime rate.
But, she warned, this would only be a temporary solution
because once police ease their tight scrutiny, the offenses would
start again.
Mintarsih agreed that eliminating hoodlums was not the sole
responsibility of the police.
"Public participation is needed to solve this complex
problem," she said.
Mintarsih unveiled a 12-point strategy to deter youths from
becoming hoodlums which includes "intervention" and counseling by
both families and converted hoodlums, providing employment
opportunities along with preventing drug and alcohol abuse.
Sociologist Selo Soemardjan said hoodlums are a by-product of
rapid economic development.
"Development will bring changes and changes will bring social
disorganization," he said adding that the government should do
its best to minimize the social cost of development. (10)
JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo warned
yesterday against the rising phenomenon of hoodlums as they are
the seeds of organized crime.
Dibyo said the fight against hoodlums should start as soon as
possible, adding that it would be easier and cheaper than
battling an organized crime ring.
"It will be more difficult for police to cope with the
hoodlums if they are organized," he said.
Dibyo opened yesterday a workshop on the prevention of
hoodlums. Participating were dozens of high and middle-ranking
police officers.
Hoodlums, or preman as they are commonly referred to here, are
a rising phenomenon in major urban centers in the country. They
vary from sidewalk ruffians, market extortionists to pseudo-
legitimate debt collectors.
Their rise has mostly been without an organized ring, as most
of the hoodlums are unemployed youth.
Dibyo told his fellow officers to learn more about the history
of organized crime in other countries in anticipation of its
growth here.
The notorious Yakuza or Boryokudan in Japan, he said, could be
an example of how petty criminals have evolved into one of the
most sophisticated crime organizations in the world.
"The Boryokudan's embryo was the illegal gambling operations
at the night market and public places," he said adding that the
organization has now developed into a debt collecting and
security service.
The hoodlums here, Dibyo said, have already been involved in
land appropriations and debt collecting activities.
He also flatly denied suggestions that many hoodlums are
"protected" by certain high ranking people.
In an effort to fight hoodlums, Dibyo said the police need
help from all related departments.
"We need an integrated cooperation to solve this complicated
problem," he said.
In 1995, while serving as Jakarta's police chief, Dibyo
pledged to clear hoodlums from the streets of the capital. His
pledge was precipitated by the murder of an off duty police
officer by hoodlums at the Blok M bus terminal, South Jakarta.
Psychiatrist Mintarsih A. Latief said yesterday that a
combined security and social approach should be employed when
dealing with hoodlums.
She acknowledged that a security approach would likely have
quick results, usually supported by a drop in the crime rate.
But, she warned, this would only be a temporary solution
because once police ease their tight scrutiny, the offenses would
start again.
Mintarsih agreed that eliminating hoodlums was not the sole
responsibility of the police.
"Public participation is needed to solve this complex
problem," she said.
Mintarsih unveiled a 12-point strategy to deter youths from
becoming hoodlums which includes "intervention" and counseling by
both families and converted hoodlums, providing employment
opportunities along with preventing drug and alcohol abuse.
Sociologist Selo Soemardjan said hoodlums are a by-product of
rapid economic development.
"Development will bring changes and changes will bring social
disorganization," he said adding that the government should do
its best to minimize the social cost of development. (10)