West Aceh Strengthens Early Detection in Villages, Village Security Task Forces Deployed
The West Aceh Regency government is strengthening the role of communities at the village level to prevent drug abuse, gambling, and various social issues, while simultaneously preparing for potential disasters. A total of 470 members of the Satlinmas (Community Security Unit) and Satgas Pageu Gampong (Village Security Task Force) from 94 villages have been deployed to perform security and early detection functions within their respective environments.
The Regent of West Aceh, Tarmizi, led the Alert Parade for Satlinmas and Satgas Pageu Gampong at the Padang Jawa Village football field, Woyla District, on Thursday (10/09/2026). The event was attended by members from the Woyla, West Woyla, and Arongan Lambalek districts, alongside local government officials, community leaders, and village heads.
Tarmizi stated that strengthening these units is essential to bolster security and order, as well as to anticipate potential disasters in West Aceh. “Approaching the end of the year, particularly during the rainy months, we often face flooding, and during the dry season, we face land fires. Therefore, this mitigation must be carried out by mobilising all elements of society,” said Tarmizi.
In addition to disaster mitigation, the Satlinmas and Village Security Task Forces have been instructed to monitor social issues within villages, particularly the circulation of drugs and gambling, which threaten security and impact the younger generation. Tarmizi noted that community involvement is necessary so that issues at the village level can be identified early and promptly reported to law enforcement agencies.
“This is a concrete effort by the government which we believe is more effective by going directly into the field,” he added.
During the parade, the West Aceh Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) also conducted a simulation on the initial handling of fires caused by gas cylinder leaks. The simulation was designed to provide the community with an understanding of the necessary steps to take during a fire to prevent panic.
Tarmizi noted that West Aceh has recorded more than 20 cases of house fires within a year. Many cases were deemed poorly managed in the initial stages because the public lacked the necessary handling skills and tended to panic. “Through this simulation, it is hoped that the community will understand how to handle house fires initially, thereby minimising the number of fire incidents and casualties,” Tarmizi said.
The alert parade in Woyla is the second such event organised by the West Aceh Regency government. The local government has scheduled two similar parades in the Kaway XVI and Panton Reu districts. The programme aims to reach all districts in West Aceh. Each village will have three Satlinmas members and two Village Security Task Force members, while villages in the Johan Pahlawan District will have three task force members per village.
Tarmizi urged the members of Satlinmas and the Village Security Task Forces not to merely perform routine duties but to be active in detecting emerging issues within the community. “In the future, whenever there is information regarding legal issues, they can report directly to the local police station so that the Police and the West Aceh Regency government can take firm action immediately,” he concluded.
Through this pattern, the local government is positioning community elements at the village level as the ‘eyes and ears’ to identify potential security disturbances or disasters. Information from the villages can then be forwarded to the relevant authorities for rapid response.