`We can't rely on police in dealing with cases'

`We can't rely on police in dealing with cases'

Blackmail, extortion and bribery. Sometimes it's hard to tell the
difference between the police and the criminals. And as long as
the police continue to hold out their hands, touching citizens
for "cigarette money", they will suffer image problems. The
Jakarta Post talked to residents to get their opinion of the
police.

Sutrisno, 53, sells hot drinks on the streets of East Jakarta.
He lives in Petukangan, South Jakarta, with his wife and son:

To tell you the truth, we can't rely on the police to tackle
the problem of crime. It's futile to count on them because we
know they don't do their jobs.

Maybe the catch a pickpocket, but then they release him after
taking a bribe. And the high-ranking officers do the same with
the big drug dealers.

In my opinion, the police are reluctant to get tough on crime
because all they want to do is take bribes.

I had the idea to organize a group of people in my
neighborhood unit to guard our area to curb crime and drug abuse.

Everyone agreed with my idea and I'm sure it will be more
effective (than the police) in minimizing such infractions. Now
drunks and drug addicts stay away from my neighborhood.

People have to rely on themselves rather than just blaming the
police for increasing crime rates, because the police do not
protect and serve.

Nelly, 31, teaches at a private English course in Central
Jakarta. She lives in Cilandak, South Jakarta, with her family:

Well, as a matter of fact I don't see any improvement in the
police. Needless to say, they even are even getting worse.

I don't think anybody feels secure in the city with the
alarming number of street crimes.

The police fail to maintain security. Many cases have proven
their abuse of power. Sometimes they scare people rather than
protect and serve them.

However, I realize that it's not only the police who should be
blamed for crime. Poor law enforcement on the part of other
relevant authorities and the country's corrupt system should
share the blame for all of this.

On the other hand, the situation has caused people to rely
more on themselves in handling certain cases rather than
reporting them to police.

Worse still, people are becoming apathetic about the current
situation because they can't rely on the police.

I am of the opinion that the people should be more cooperative
in joining hands with the security forces to keep the situation
stable.

Otherwise, it will only worsen the situation and the police
will be stigmatized.

Nurdin, not his real name, 24, is a parking attendant in Blok
M, South Jakarta. He lives in Mampang, South Jakarta, with his
friends:

Generally speaking, the police don't do a good job. And they
never help the poor.

I mean, the police don't immediately respond to crimes
reported by poor people.

I'm sure small crimes like petty theft or a pickpocket don't
get a prompt reaction from the police.

But it's different if a rich person files a report. Then the
police move quickly to find suspects and investigate the case.

The police are eager to take action when the victims of crime
are the rich and middle class, because they can pay them to help
smooth the investigation.

So how can we count on the police? I know we can't do anything
but hope the police will start doing a better job and improve
their image.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.