Police out in force during holidays

The Yogyakarta Police is to deploy 3,687 officers from various units to safeguard the year-end Christmas and New Year holidays, provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Sudirman said recently.

The Yogyakarta Police commenced its seasonal security measures with the Ketupat Operation to safeguard Idul Fitri and the traffic of holidaymakers.

Sudirman said Kulonprogro in the western part of the province, Tempel-Sleman in the north and Solo-Prambanan in the east -- all entry points to Yogyakarta -- were prone to traffic congestion from the influx of holiday travelers.

Police have prepared alternative routes for travelers in the event that these areas were heavily congested.

Head of the provincial transportation agency Setyoso Hardjowisastro added that traffic accidents were frequent along the Northern Outer Ringroad and Jl. Piyungan, connecting Yogyakarta and Wonosari, as well as roads linking Yogyakarta with Prambanan, Bantul and Imogiri, and cautioned motorists to be extra careful along these routes. -- JP