Police's new bike patrol members nowhere in sight

JAKARTA (JP): Three weeks after its establishment, the Jakarta Police's bike patrol was conspicuously absent from the areas around the National Monument (Monas) and Senayan Sports Stadium in Central Jakarta on Sunday morning.

Thousands of people were relaxing and exercising near Monas and Senayan stadium on Sunday, but not under the watchful eyes of the special police unit.

Those gathered at the two locations took notice of the absence of the bike patrol, which was inaugurated by Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Nurfaizi on June 18.

"I've been here since 6 a.m., but I haven't seen them. They usually gather there before patrolling the area," Eli Muslihat, 47, a bicycle rider, said, pointing at the entrance to Monas in front of the Antara news agency building on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan.

Eli, who frequently rides his bicycle near Monas on Sunday mornings, said three or four members of the bike patrol usually gathered at the location around 7 a.m. before leaving to patrol the area.

"There were many of them during the launching (of the unit) three weeks ago, but not since," he told The Jakarta Post.

Nuraini, another cycling enthusiast, was in agreement with Eli. "Police bike patrol? I haven't seen them," Nuraini said, adding that she was not even aware such a unit existed.

Suwito, 63, a sanitary worker in the Monas area, said he arrived at 5 a.m. and had not seen any police personnel from the bike patrol.

A number of people at Senayan stadium also noted that the patrol unit, which was present in the area two weeks ago, was nowhere to be seen on Sunday.

However, a food vendor near Gate VII of the stadium, which is used as a gathering place for the patrol members, said he saw two members of the unit leave the stadium at 7 a.m.

Jakarta Traffic Police chief Sr. Supt. I Nyoman Sukesna earlier told the Post that members of the bike unit would be on patrol on Sundays and holidays at Monas, Senayan stadium and along Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, also in Central Jakarta.

Nyoman said the unit was established following continuing reports of crime in the areas, popular recreation sites on Sunday mornings and holidays.

"We kept receiving reports of people being robbed while exercising in those areas," he said, adding that a number of sexual harassment reports had also been received.

"Some women reported they had been kissed or had their breasts touched (by strangers)," Nyoman said.

He said the bike patrol was also meant to help create a friendlier image of the police.

"The patrol members do not wear regular police uniforms, but a different one which was specially designed to give a friendly image," Nyoman said.

"Only good-looking and friendly officers were selected to join the unit," he added.

He said unit members were also equipped with first aid kits and candy to give to people, especially children, who were exercising in the areas.

"We got the inspiration from the television series Baywatch, where lifeguards can mingle with the people," Nyoman said.

He said the bike patrol unit consisted of 100 Jakarta Police personnel from the tourism police, traffic police, on-alert police, public guidance police and police detectives.

Nyoman said unit members would patrol the designated areas from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sundays and holidays.

When the Post went to Jakarta Police Headquarters at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, a duty officer at the traffic unit, Chief Pvt. Rochadi, said 20 members of the unit had patrolled the designated areas that morning.

However, none of the members were available for interviews on Sunday.

"All of them went home a few minutes ago," said Rochadi, who pointed out about 50 parked bicycles used by the new police unit. (08)