The 'Gotham City' Phenomenon in West Jakarta, DKI Jakarta DPRD Member Kenneth Urges Mapping of Robbery Hotspots

In response to the phenomenon, Hardiyanto Kenneth, a member of the DKI Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) from the PDI Perjuangan faction, has decided to take action by initiating cross-sector meetings through Ngobrol Bareng Forkopimko (NGOPI) at the West Jakarta City Hall. The man known as Bang Kent applauded the swift response of West Jakarta City Government alongside the Forum for City Leadership (Forkopimko) in seeking solutions to the rising criminal acts that have unsettled residents. ‘Today I commend the swift response of West Jakarta Mayor Ibu Iin Mutmainnah, the police chief, the Dandim, and the Muspiko leadership for organising this NGOPI event. The aim is good, to find a joint way out so that the phenomenon of mugging in West Jakarta can be mitigated effectively and the public can feel safe again when going about their activities,’ Kent said in a statement on Friday (22 May 2026). He argued that regional security cannot be the sole responsibility of the police; it requires collaboration between local government, security forces, the business sector, and the community. He viewed the rising street crime phenomena as a moment to strengthen an integrated security system in West Jakarta. ‘If the public even refers to West Jakarta as ’Gotham City’, this surely is an alarm for all of us. It means there is fear and anxiety truly felt by residents. We must not let the public lose their sense of safety when leaving home, going to work, or returning home at night,’ said the commission member for Commission C of the DKI Jakarta DPRD. Kent jokingly yet seriously likened himself to ‘Batman’, who will continuously monitor the security situation in West Jakarta. ‘As a legislator in Kebon Sirih, I try to position myself as ’Batman’ who will always monitor what happens in West Jakarta for the comfort, safety, and welfare of the residents of West Jakarta in line with my oversight function in the DKI Jakarta DPRD,’ he stated. He stressed that surveillance of crime-prone spots must be tightened, especially on roads with poor lighting and little oversight. He noted that most mugging acts and other crimes occur on public roads, not in office complexes or large buildings with adequate security systems. ‘Therefore I request a detailed mapping of crime hotspots. With such mapping, police can conduct routine patrols and give extra protection during vulnerable hours. The presence of officers on the ground is vital to provide a preventive effect,’ said the IKAL (Ikatan Keluarga Alumni Lemhannas RI) PPRA Class LXII chairman. Kent also pushed for optimising surveillance technology through the installation of CCTV at strategic and crime-prone locations. He said the procurement of CCTV can be done through a cooperation scheme and the optimisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from private companies as well as Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD). ‘The procurement of CCTV, if we want cheaper and more efficient, can be done through a rental scheme. The route could be via CSR from parties who wish to help security or could also involve BUMD. So we install them at key points where crimes such as mugging and clashes have frequently occurred,’ he said. Furthermore, Kent hopes the mitigation measures taken with Forkopimko will not be ceremonial but followed by concrete and sustainable actions. ‘Most importantly is the follow-up. We want regular evaluations, more massive patrols, better street lighting, and a functioning surveillance system. I want West Jakarta to again be known as a safe and comfortable area for the community,’ he concluded. (ega/ega)