Police move to sweep off streets

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Although less than a month in office, National Police Chief Gen. Sutanto is continuing to take populist measures designed to make a difference.

After a crackdown on gambling in the first week of his tenure, the National Police are now embarking on an operation to clean the streets from thugs who have been omnipresent and spreading fear among the community.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Aryanto Boedihardjo said on Monday that all regional police were involved in the operation aimed at ensuring public security. The crackdown, he said, is taking place on the streets, on public transportation and in other public places.

"Pak Sutanto realizes that one of the most urgent public complaints the police have to address is the feeling of a lack of security. Therefore, he has ordered provincial police to launch the operation," Aryanto said.

He added that every province would draw up their own guidelines, but the main target would be people who cause fear among the public.

The operation officially started on July 11, and so far 642 thugs have been arrested for 102 criminal acts, including blackmail, extortion and intimidation.

Thuggery has been common in major cities like Jakarta. The thugs, who are usually grouped based on ethnicity, have even divided the capital into areas of operation.

Clashes between the gangs frequently break out.

Police have made little effort to stamp out gangs, despite their acts of terror.

Aryanto said that during the raids, the police seized 52 sharp weapons, one homemade gun, 951 bottles of alcoholic drink and 33 motorcycles that were either stolen or were used by the thugs.

"Police officers will continue patrolling public areas considered vulnerable to street crime committed by the thugs as well as on public transportation such as buses and trains," Aryanto said.

Police will also arrest people who extort money and those who hire groups of people to occupy disputed property, Aryanto said.

When asked whether the police would also conduct sweeps against illegal "traffic wardens," who usually regulate traffic for money, Aryanto said the police would only take action against them if they used force to demand money.

"We will work together with residents and other related institutions in carrying out the operation," Aryanto said.