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