Train Station Guarded By K9 Dogs During The 2024 Christmas Holiday, KAI Gives An Explanation

Long-distance train passengers at Purwokerto Station, Banyumas, Central Java. (ANTARA-Sumarwoto)

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has placed K9 sniffer dogs at long-distance train stations (KAJJ) during the 2024 Christmas holiday.

KAI VP Public Relations Anne Purba explained that the placement of dogs trained to carry out police duties was carried out to support security, especially in anticipating the potential for prohibited items brought by passengers.

"We are deploying a K9 team to improve security at the station, ensuring that passenger comfort and safety remain a top priority," Anne said in her statement, Wednesday, December 25.

Anne said this effort aims to prevent any party taking advantage of the crowded situation of passengers to commit unlawful acts, such as drug smuggling.

The use of K9 dogs is mobile and does not focus on one point at the station. So, according to him, the guard can spread to various corners of the station.

"We collaborate with various parties, both in the station area and along the train line. Especially in the rainy season and the Nataru period, supervision and monitoring are carried out more intensively at vulnerable points to ensure train travel remains safe, comfortable and smooth," said Anne.

KAI Station has been tightened ahead of the 2024 Christmas holiday until the 2025 New Year. The security system has been carried out since prospective passengers arrived at the departure station until the final destination station.

"In an effort to create a safe and comfortable journey, KAI collaborates with security forces, including Polsuska, security, and involves the TNI/Polri. This is done to ensure that order during the Nataru period runs conducive," said Anne.

During the Christmas and New Year's season, KAI deployed a total of 9,768 security personnel consisting of 8,866 internal security personnel and 902 external security personnel. These personnel include Polsuska, security officers (security), supervisory officers (Pabin), Bhayangkara Community Security and Order Development (Babin), Pam Swakarsa, and other additional security officers.

"KAI also prepares security support facilities such as metal detectors, CCTV, rescue cars with safety evacuation equipment," said Anne.