`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.