Makassar Social Service Forms A Patrol Team For Social Problems

One corner of Makassar City is rampant beggars when they stop at traffic lights in Makassar, Friday (27/10/2023). BETWEEN/Muh Hasanuddin

Makassar City Social Service, South Sulawesi formed a special patrol team with social welfare problems (PMKS) in an effort to suppress street children and beggars on the highway.

Acting Head of Makassar City Social Service, Armin Paera, said street children, homeless people, and beggars were crucial problems in big cities, including Makassar, although there were already regional regulations that became the basis for dealing with the problem, including sanctions.

"The OPD will synergize to help handle street children and homeless people and beggars," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, October 27.

PMKS figures caught in raids experienced a significant decrease from month to month during 2023.

As of October 2023, 431 PMKS were recorded in the category of street children, homeless people, and beggars who were arrested.

Raids on street children in June 2023 netted 64 people, while in October there were 12 people. Similar activities in June netted 16 beggars and in October eight people. During 2023, raids on commercial sex workers netted 37 people, six people waria, 78 people with mental disorders (ODGJ), and 55 displaced elderly people.

He said the success of the raid was due to the intensive patrol of the special team formed by the Makassar Social Service to reduce the number of PMKS. Those who were caught in the raid then underwent rehabilitation.

Special teams, including the Saribattang Rapid Response Team (TRC), intensively carried out patrols to raid street children, homeless people, and beggars in a number of vulnerable locations, while the Night Kupu-Kumal Team patrolled raids at inns indicated as places for prostitution.

"As well as a special team guarding 9 posts at points deemed vulnerable to PMKS activity. This has helped create stronger attendance and effective supervision at potential locations," he said.