Police warn of rising crime during holidays

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

City Police warned Jakartans on Friday that crime might be on the rise before and during the holidays of Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year's, and asked residents to increase their awareness.

"I expect residents to immediately inform the nearest police station or through our toll-free number 112 if they witness any crime," City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo told reporters on Friday.

"We will also increase patrol activities in housing areas because many houses will be left vacant as the owners visit their hometowns," said the newly installed City Police spokesman.

City Police will deploy some 15,000 officers or two-thirds of its total personnel to safeguard the city over the holiday season, which will last from this Friday until Jan. 7, in an operation dubbed the Operasi Ketupat Lilin.

Also deployed are some 1,000 sharpshooters who will be stationed along main exodus routes and other places in its jurisdiction which also include Tangerang in Banten and Bekasi and Depok in West Java provinces.

"The sharpshooters are stationed in places prone to criminal activities such as bus terminals, railway stations and high- traffic intersections," said Prasetyo.

"Business and trade centers as well as tourism spots will also be guarded by the sharpshooters.

"We will also put armed police officers aboard intercity buses, commuter and long distance trains and ships," he added.

Despite deploying snipers and other armed officers, the police did not issue a shoot-on-sight order to avoid any misinterpretation.

"Any shoot-on-sight orders issued by police have the potential to be misinterpreted," said Prasetyo.

"Every armed police officer has his or her own discretion on when to shoot. So it will be the officers' responsibility if they shoot the wrong target."

Commenting on the rampant robberies of banks or bank clients, Prasetyo urged bank employees or customers to request free police escorts when carrying a large amount of money. also urged banks to apply for firearms licenses with the National Police Headquarters to improve security in the banks.

"Each individual is allowed to have licenses for two firearms. Meanwhile, institutional applicants, such as banks, can apply according to their needs," he said.

The latest robbery attempt happened on Thursday when a security guard at Bank Bukopin managed to wrestle away a would-be thief's gun and shot him dead.

Prasetyo also admitted that there were still possibilities of bombings during the holidays although he could not predict when such bombings may occur.

"We must pay attention to the Acehnese separatist movement and other sporadic groups who are capable of doing such bombings," he said.