The Phenomenon Of Homeless Children And Beggars During Ramadan, Mataram Social Service Ensures Still Under Control

Street children illustration. (Between)

MATARAM - The Social Service (Dinsos) of Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), said it would increase supervision of street children, homeless people and beggars during Ramadan 1443 Hijri. He confirmed that his activities were still under control.

"Thank God, until today our task force has only secured one street child. Those are residents from outside the city of Mataram and we have returned them to their areas of origin," said Head of the Mataram City Social Service (Dinsos) Hj Baiq Asnayati in Mataram, Thursday, April 7.

He said that for the handling of street children, midfielders and beggars, the participation of the community is needed to actively inform the officers when they find their activities around the city of Mataram.

"In this case, we are all responsible, including so that people do not give on the street. If you want to give, it is better to go through an official institution, such as Baznas so that it is more targeted," he said.

Furthermore, Asnayati said the handling of street children, midfielders and beggars in Mataram is currently being maximized by using two surveillance systems, namely static and mobile surveillance.

The number of personnel who were deployed for supervision during Ramadan was 42 people from the social task force. They are alerted at a number of strategic points for street children, midfielders and beggars.

"In addition to being on standby at strategic points, we also assign the social task force to carry out patrols. Usually, during fasting, the activities of homeless children and beggars increase," he added, as reported by Antara.

He said the alerted social task forces were placed at strategic points. For example, at red lights and crowded centers such as shopping centers and city parks.

Task Forces placed at strategic points can immediately take action when they find the activities of street children, midfielders, and beggars. Likewise the task force that conducts patrols.

"Street children, midfielders, and beggars who are brought under control are taken to the post or to the social service office for identification. If they are outsiders, we will send them home, if they are city dwellers, we will assess them," he said.