Rising crime ahead of fasting month anticipated

Rising crime ahead of fasting month anticipated

Emmy Fitri and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta police detectives gathered on Thursday to review
tactics and strategies in anticipation of rising crime rates
ahead of the holy fasting month, which begins in November.

"The detectives need to refresh their knowledge and strategies
in dealing with new criminal methods. And especially ahead of the
fasting month, we anticipate the crime rate will rise," Chief of
city police detectives Sr. Comr. Adang Rochjana said.

During the fasting month, he said, many people would leave the
house carrying cash as they shopped for food and other
necessities. Throughout that period, businesses would also send
staff members out to withdraw cash from banks in order to pay
their employees special seasonal allowances.

"Some criminals will wait for people carrying a lot of cash,
either for use in shopping or for the payment of employees. We
expect street robberies will increase, and the number of
pickpockets in shopping centers as well as other crowded public
places will also be on the rise," Adang said.

However, the officer did not want to disclose what security
measures would be implemented during the fasting month.

Meanwhile, chief of the city police's operation control center
Sr. Comr. Nono Supriyono said his force was preparing an
operation, code named Ketupat.

"The technical details of the operation are now being
discussed. It is being prepared in anticipation of the end of the
fasting month and the Idul Fitri holidays."

Nono also said that police were still discussing with
religious leaders and the local administration whether or not to
allow night spots to open for business during the fasting month,
out of respect for Muslims.