Police Deploys Bomb Squad, Water Canons to Secure Christmas
25 December 2015 17:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Surabaya-Police deployed tens of thousands of personnel to secure this Christmas celebrations at 374 churches, including at Bethany and Keuskupan (Bishopric), the two largest churches in Surabaya.
“We deployed about 22,000 personnel from the East Java Police and two other forces,” Surabaya Precinct Police chief Sr. Comr. Yan Fitri Halimansyah said at his office on Friday, December 25, 2015.
Police personnel had assistance from Surabaya Police’s K9 Police Dogs team, water cannons and East Java Police’s bomb squad.
“We also involve personnel from sub-precinct police offices,” Yan added.
Based on Tempo’s observation at Bethany Church, dozens of police were deployed to secure church’s entrance and parking lot. Six metal detectors were installed at the main gate, and two water canon vehicles were parked in front of the church.
East Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Setiadi explained that police had not received any threats during Christmas. Anton hopes that this year’s Christmas will run smoothly.
“Let’s pray together for this year’s Christmas,” he said.
EDWIN FAJERIAL