Jakartans told to remain vigilant
Jakartans told to remain vigilant
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Next week, Jakarta's streets, offices and housing complexes will
get some breathing space with at least 2.5 million residents
expected to return to their home towns and villages to celebrate
Idul Fitri.
However, behind the tranquility of the city, the Jakarta
administration warned that there were looming dangers including
house thefts targeting vacant homes, and fires due to electrical
devices being left plugged in while the tenants were away.
"Although we will deploy our entire personnel from relevant
agencies to back up the police in upholding security during the
festivities, we still call on residents to keep a watchful eye by
ensuring the security as well safety of their homes to avoid
burglary and fire," Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday.
He said that burglaries targeting vacant homes were common
occurrences during the festive season.
Leaving electrical devices turned on could also lead to short
circuits and fires, he said.
Short circuits are the most common cause of fires in the city
aside from exploding gas stoves. The City Fire Department reports
over 700 fires in the capital every year.
"Next week, we, Jakarta authorities, including the military
and police, will meet to coordinate detailed security measures
that will be taken during the holiday period," Sutiyoso said.
City Public Order Agency head Haryanto Bajuri said at least
3,000 public order officers, or half of the total personnel of
6,000, would help police secure the capital during the holiday.
"We will also cooperate with community guards at housing
complexes, office complexes and commercial compounds across the
city," Haryanto said.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung
Yoga Ana said police would deploy two thirds of their personnel,
or around 14,000 officers, during the festivities.
"Aside from places prone to crime, police will monitor
security at places like bus terminals, railway stations, ports
and airports, where large crowds of holidaymakers congregate to
travel home," Yoga said.
Other important places, like embassies, banks, and
governmental offices, were also a priority for the police, he
said.
He urged residents who left their homes vacant to report to
neighborhood unit heads or community unit heads for security
reasons.
"Such information is necessary so that community guards can
coordinate with police about patrol systems to secure the
complexes," he said.
The City Transportation Agency estimates that the exodus of
residents will start a week before Idul Fitri, which falls on
Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, and will peak three days before the holidays.
It has prepared a total of 6,566 buses to anticipate a surge
in the number of holiday makers, while state railway company PT
KAI would add extra 12 trains to cope with the exodus.
Tips to secure homes during holidays
* Ensure that all doors, windows and gates are properly locked.
The more locks used the better, in order to discourage thieves
from easily breaking into the house.
* Ask trustworthy neighbors to help monitor your house. Ask
them to switch outdoor lamps on and off. Leaving outdoor lamps
off or on throughout the day during holidays is the best
indication to thieves that the house is empty.
* Ask for help from community guards to include your house on
their regular patrol routes. Giving cash or parcels as incentives
may be required to garner their attention.
* Keep valuables in a safe deposit boxes. You can also deflate
the tires of your cars and motorcycles to discourage theft.
* Disconnect all electrical devices, especially those that are
prone to overheating, like irons, TVs, computers, and cooking
appliances. Overheating can cause short circuits.
* Disconnect gas hoses from stoves to avoid gas leakage.
From various sources