Persecution by Motorcycle Gangs is Increasingly Worrying, Commission III Encourages the National Police to Activate Routine Patrols

JAKARTA - Commission III DPR RI encourages the police to take preventive action against youth gang activities, including motorbike gangs which often carry out persecution. It is considered that routine police patrols must be increasingly encouraged for the sake of the community's sense of security and comfort, especially in areas prone to crime.

“Persecution among teenagers is currently very scary. "We must pay more attention together, especially the actions of law enforcement", said member of Commission III DPR RI, Didik Mukrianto, Tuesday 3 October.

Didik highlighted various acts of youth gang persecution that have recently occurred. Like the gangster gang's attack on a married couple in Warakas, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, some time ago.

The gang, which is a motorcycle gang called North Side Warrior, not only abused, but also slashed the victim. The couple also became victims of persecution when gangsters wanted revenge against other groups. The victim's belongings were also confiscated even though the perpetrator had the wrong target.

Then there was also a beating carried out by a motorbike gang in Kampung Bandan, Pademangan, North Jakarta in the early hours of Monday (2/10). Their action was recorded on CCTV and showed motorbike gang members carrying sharp weapons, then attacking a resident who was on night patrol.

As a result, the victim suffered injuries to his hands and neck and received several stitches at the Pademangan General Hospital. The attack also made local residents afraid and anxious. Moreover, acts of persecution by motorbike gangs have occurred several times in the past month.

It is known that disturbing actions by motorbike gangs occur in a number of areas. In Tangerang, residents are even afraid to cross Sukaharja Village because illegal racing often occurs which is quite disturbing. Didik also asked for firm action from the police against acts of youth gang persecution.

"In addition to taking firm action, the police also need to intensify preventive measures by intensifying routine patrols starting from the ranks of the Regional Police, the Regional Police and even the Sector Police. "Because this motorbike gang is getting more and more disturbing day by day, so don't give it room to develop", he stressed.

Regarding vigilante incidents such as what happened in Warakas, Didik asked the police not to treat them as just ordinary juvenile delinquency. Whatever form of persecution he calls, it has entered the criminal realm.

"The police must ensure strict law enforcement against teenage gang members who are involved in criminal or unlawful activities", said Didik.

This legislator from the East Java IX electoral district explained that the issue of motorbike gangs is still a scourge for law enforcement officials. Therefore, Didik asked the National Police to create a special unit to eradicate street crimes such as motorbike gangs.

"The National Police Chief must pay attention to this motorbike gang case because it is disturbing. "Create special units in each police station to carry out routine patrols every day, as an effort to anticipate street crime", he said.

Based on the National Police's own data, the number of crime cases committed by motorbike gangs in Indonesia has increased significantly in the last few years. In 2022, there will be 1,844 cases of crimes committed by motorcycle gangs. This number has increased from 1,250 cases in 2021.

Of that number, the type of crime most often committed by motorbike gangs is violent theft, with a total of 688 cases in 2022. Other types of crime that are also often committed by motorbike gangs are assault, robbery and brawls between motorbike gangs.

Didik made a suggestion for the National Police to reactivate the Rapid Response Team from the Sabhara unit in each Polres. By reviving this unit, it is hoped that it will make people calm when carrying out their activities at night.

"In the past, in Jakarta there was a quick reaction team that patrolled every night, and there was even a police station at every police station to anticipate street crime in their area. This must be revived. "Not only in Jakarta, but in other areas too", said Didik.

On the other hand, Commission III of the DPR, which is in charge of legal, human rights and security affairs, hopes that there will be cross-agency cooperation between the Police and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Innovation (Kemendikbudristek). Didik said that this cooperation was needed in order to provide education to children who took part in motorbike gang activities.

"We cannot deny that many of the motorbike gang members are still minors. "This should also be a note for the Government, that synergy is needed to monitor the activities of youth groups", explained the Member of the DPR Banggar.

Furthermore, Didik assessed that the education sector has an important role so that children's behavior does not deviate. He encouraged intervention from schools and educators to ensure that children are not tempted to commit violations.

"Intervention from schools is important to ensure that children do not fall into naughty behavior that could lead to criminal acts. "Apart from supervision and assistance, firm action through educational sanctions is very necessary to have a deterrent effect", said Didik.