“Yogyakarta remains safe. There is no need to worry about coming to visit Yogyakarta," Suyuti said after meeting with personnel from the police and national defense forces as well as community leaders in Yogyakarta on Tuesday.
He disclosed that the street crime case, which took place in early April 2022 and claimed one life, had been handled by the police. Five of the perpetrators were arrested and are currently undergoing legal proceedings.
He said he did not believe in terms such as ‘random targets’ because, for every crime, there must be a cause for the actions taken by the perpetrators.
“There is no such thing as a random (target). There may be mistargeting. But what is certain is that there are always reasons and causes for these street crimes. Usually caused by (clashes) between groups," he explained.
Thus, street crimes are categorized as inter-group brawls, he said.
Related news: Yogyakarta to activate street lights, CCTVs to deter street crimes
Tuesday’s meeting resulted in an agreement by various stakeholders on conducting patrols. Among the entities that will conduct the security measure are Yogyakarta public order officers, national defense force, police, youth organizations, and the general public.
Suyuti urged the public to immediately contact law enforcement if they notice a risk of street crime, and advised against vigilante acts. "Still have to remember that our country is a state of law," he said.
The Yogyakarta city government has a Family Resilience Regulation, which stipulates the role of the family in educating children.
"One of them is making sure the child is at home before 10 p.m. (local time)," Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Heroe Poerwadi said.
Meanwhile, director of public guidance at the Yogyakarta Police Department, Ruminio Ardano, called for collaborative efforts for eliminating street crimes.
"Guidance within the family, in the neighborhood, and in schools is very important because it is an area that must be monitored to (limit the chances of) children committing crimes," he said.
Related news: Street crimes make up third of conventional crimes: police chief
Translator: Eka Arifa R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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