TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Police's Head of Public Relations, Sr. Comr. M. Iqbal, said that almost pedestrian bridge in Jakarta is prone to criminal activities - as such, Jakarta Police is doing what it can to increase security on the bridge.
"One of the concrete ways to do this is by increasing the frequency of patrols," said Iqbal at Jakarta Police's Headquarters on Monday, November 30.
In addition to routine patrols, Iqbal said that plainclothes officers will be deployed to map out the groups that routinely carry out attacks on such crossings. "We would like to bring down the incidence of violence to an absolute minimum," he said.
Iqbal said that Jakarta Police have asked Jakarta's Administration to install proper lighting and closed-circuit television (CCTV) on bridges, and advises residents to remain aware of their surroundings when crossing a pedestrian bridge. "Don't give these offenders a chance to commit violence," he said.
Iqbal also advises individuals to not attract attention while in public. "Don't wear eye-catching accessories, and refrain from crossing alone at night," he said.
The issue appear after a 23-year old woman claimed to be raped by a knife-wielding assailant while she attempted to cross a bridge in Pondok Indah on Saturday, November 21.
The suspect - ITH - was shot by authorities as he was about to be arrested, as he attempted to fight back with a machete.
DIKO OKTORA
