West Java Legislator Appreciates Governor's Crime-Fighting Contest, Urges Against Vigilantism

West Java DPRD Commission V member Iwan Koswara has praised the move by West Java Governor Kang Dedi Mulyadi (KDM) to hold a competition with prizes for members of the public who assist in catching street criminals. He believes the policy can be an effort to encourage public participation in maintaining security and order in their respective neighbourhoods.

Iwan, a West Java DPRD member from the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), assessed that public involvement in maintaining security is crucial amidst ongoing cases of street crime that cause unrest. However, he noted that such participation must still be carried out by prioritising the law and safety.

“In principle, I appreciate the Governor’s move. This can be a stimulus for the public to help maintain environmental security. But of course, the public must not take the law into their own hands,” Iwan said on Monday (27/7/2026).

According to Iwan, giving appreciation to residents who help officers catch criminals can be a form of recognition for public concern. Moreover, security is not solely the responsibility of the authorities but requires the support of all elements of society.

He assessed that the competition mechanism must also be accompanied by clear education for the public regarding the limits of permissible actions when confronting criminals. Residents, he said, should prioritise their own safety and immediately coordinate with the police.

“The most important thing is that the intention to maintain security does not lead to new legal problems. If you spot or identify a perpetrator, secure them as best you can and hand them over to the authorities,” he stated.

Iwan also believes the initiative must be coupled with strengthened patrols and rapid response from law enforcement. This way, the competition does not become the sole instrument in suppressing street crime.

“This must be part of a comprehensive security system. There are patrols, lighting in crime-prone areas, quick police response, and then public participation. If all of this works together, hopefully the public’s sense of safety will grow stronger,” he said.

Iwan expressed hope that the policy would not only focus on arrests but also encourage prevention efforts. He said the local government and authorities need to map out crime-prone areas and strengthen supervision in those locations.

“The ultimate goal is not to catch as many people as possible, but how to suppress street crime so that the public feels safe when carrying out their activities,” Iwan concluded.