South Jakarta said prone to crime

JAKARTA: Renowned as the most peaceful residential area in the capital, South Jakarta residents reported the highest number of thefts in the first six months of the year, a police watchdog said on Thursday.

Indonesian University's Police Watch said that South Jakarta police received a total of 1835 complaints, followed by Central Jakarta with 1778 complaints and East Jakarta's 1627 complaints.

In the past East Jakarta and Central Jakarta have had the highest reported theft incidence.

Compared to other police precincts, it is widely known that South Jakarta police have better administration and public service units.

Police Watch coordinator, Adnan Pandupraja, said South Jakarta's figure was more than triple last year's total which only reached 573 reported cases.

The watchdog, who did not criticize the police's performance, stressed that police had done their utmost to cut crime in the capital despite limited budgets and human resources.

Commenting on the Police Watch report, Jakarta City Police chief Inspector General Makbul Padmanagara said: "Whatever the result of the evaluation we appreciate this and admit that we still have many weaknesses to be improved." -- JP