N. Jakarta police net 120 hoodlums

N. Jakarta police net 120 hoodlums

JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta police in cooperation with
local military personnel have detained over 120 suspected
hoodlums in a series of operations since last Thursday.

"Indeed, it's a routine operation which has been intensified
following a strong indication of a growing number of crimes in
this area," head of the North Jakarta police Lt. Col. Edi Darnadi
said yesterday.

The suspected hoodlums, locally known as preman, were mostly
apprehended at the locations believed to be their base of
operations, such as red-light districts, intersections and night
food stalls, said Edi, who led the operation.

Only those found possessing weapons have been jailed. The
remaining men have been registered in order to facilitate their
arrest if they commit crimes in the future, Edi said.

"We have no plans to stop the war against hoodlums in this
area," he pledged. (bsr)