Police move to sweep off streets

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.