Police secure homes abandoned by Jatiwaringin landfill evacuees

Banten Regional Police (Polda Banten) are providing security for residential areas around the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site (TPA) in Mauk District, Tangerang Regency, which have been abandoned by residents seeking refuge from the smoke of a landfill fire. Banten Police Chief Inspector General Hengki stated on Wednesday that personnel from the Tangerang Police have been deployed to monitor the homes of the evacuees. “Currently, 192 people have been displaced. All bedding in the shelters has been prepared,” he said. To anticipate security disturbances while residents’ homes are left vacant, the police are intensifying patrols in the residential area. “Monitoring is carried out especially at night, when most residents choose to evacuate because the fire smoke becomes thicker due to the wind direction,” he said. Meanwhile, Tangerang Police Chief Commissioner Indra Waspada added that patrols are conducted by sector, involving joint personnel from several sub-district police stations. “So, in addition to carrying out duties in the fire area, police officers are also performing tasks at the evacuation post, including conducting patrols of the abandoned houses,” he explained. Furthermore, the police have set up seven checkpoints around the Jatiwaringin TPA to limit public access to the fire location. “Only personnel involved in the firefighting operation, such as firefighters, Manggala Agni, BNPB, TNI, Polri, medical staff, and related agencies, are permitted to pass,” he clarified. Indra added that his party is also deploying around 25 Samapta Unit personnel daily to sweep the fire area. “We will also prepare approximately 25 personnel from the Samapta Unit to conduct sweeps every day using trail motorcycles that we have prepared,” he said. The Jatiwaringin TPA fire has been burning since Tuesday (30/6) and is still being handled. The firefighting operation involves joint officers supported by heavy equipment, water-bombing helicopters, and Manggala Agni personnel from the Ministry of Forestry.