The Relationship Between Layoffs And The Increase In The Percentage Of Crimes During The COVID-19 Pandemic

JAKARTA - The police said that crime increased by 10 percent when the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased crime, such as theft, drug cases, and fraud. The increase in the number of crimes is based on comparative data in the previous month.

There is an opinion that the increase in the crime rate is due to the impact of the many layoffs (PHK) during the PSBB.

"The emergency situation like today has caused many changes in life. People who are not strong enough to survive in lawful ways will take shortcuts that are against the law," Al Azhar University criminal law expert Suparji Ahmad told VOI, Wednesday, 29 April.

However, according to Suparji, the increasing number of crimes is not only influenced by the layoffs of companies that have closed down due to COVID-19. There are other things that are the driving factor. He asked the police to do a mapping to make anticipatory steps.

"Law enforcement officials should immediately deal with and map the causes and take firm steps so that the crime rate can be minimized," said Suparji.

University of Indonesia criminologist Adrianus Meliala said there was a link between the number of dismissals or layoffs that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in the crime rate in the Jakarta area.

Moreover, the momentum of Eid al-Fitr which is getting closer adds to the burden on the minds of the affected people and has the potential to commit crimes.

"In the period approaching or after Lebaran, people will be more sensitive to material needs. Those who are laid off will quickly feel frustrated and of course some will run to crime," said Adrianus.

Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Yusri Yunus, refused to mention that the increase in the percentage of crimes was related to dismissals or layoffs during PSBB. Because based on existing data, the perpetrators arrested during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the PSBB were mostly recidivists.

"There is nothing (to do with layoffs). They are many recidivists, they left prison in the same case," said Yusri.

The 10 percent increase in the crime rate consisted of 17 cases of minimarket burglary. Where, 13 of them have been revealed by setting dozens of people as suspects.

"There are 20 suspects, 2 died and 18 suspects we secure. These 18 suspects are recidivists, that's all," said Yusri.