Mohamad Bintang Pamungkas, Jakarta – Mobile coffee sellers in Jakarta now have a new role as part of the city's security strategy. Jakarta Metro Jaya Regional Police (Kapolda) Chief Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri says that traders can not only sell coffee, but can also be the "eyes and ears" of the police in the field.
The statement was made during lunch activity event and distribution of social assistance (bansos) for street vendors at Silang Park in the southern part of the National Monument (Monas) in Gambir, Central Jakarta, on Thursday October 10.
"They're not just coffee sellers, but are also part of the eyes and ears of the National Police in the field", said Suheri as quoted by the state news agency Antara on Friday October 10.
Encouraged to report anything suspicious
Suheri is encouraging mobile coffee sellers to report to the police if they discover anything suspicious. For those who actively provide information, the police promise they will appreciate it.
"If there's an incident or something suspicious, please report it to us. For those who help provide information, we will of course appreciate it", said Suheri.
Apart from security aims, this is also part of the police's humanist approach. According to Suheri, interacting with residents, listening to their stories and showing social concern are important parts of the National Police's (Polri) duties.
"Polri is here not just to enforce the law, but also to build togetherness and social awareness. Mobile coffee sellers and small businesses are an important part of the pulse of Jakarta city life", he explained.
Community policing strategy
This program is part of the community policing strategy, which emphasises the presence of police officers among residents not just for law enforcement, but also for prevention, education and humanitarian services.
Suheri hopes that this initiative will strengthen the bridge between the police and the community through the spirit of "Safeguard Jakarta", which consists of four pillars, namely "Taking Care of Citizens", "Taking Care of the Environment", "Taking Care of the Rules" and "Taking Care of the Mandate".
Ojol security and public order program
A similar concept was early applied with the Kamtibmas (security and public order) online motorcycle taxi (ojol) community
Metro Jaya Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Dekananto Eko Purwono explained that motorcycle taxi drivers who record crimes on the road and report them will receive incentives from the police.
"If there are ojol friends who record the perpetrator of a crime, then report it to the Polsek [Sectoral Police] or the Polres [District Police], they will be given a bonus or reward", said Purwono during an event at the Juanda train station in Central Jakarta on Friday September 26.
Nevertheless, Purwono emphasised that incentives should not be misused. Giving bonuses is solely for motivation, not the main goal. "Security is a shared responsibility, not just the police", he said.
The Metro Jaya Regional Police have also inaugurated the Rakyat Mart Store (People's Mart Store) at the Juanda train station as coordinating post (posko) and activity centre for motorcycle taxi drivers.
This outlet provides cheap basic commodities and is a coordination space for the ojol community in supporting regional security together with the police.
The initiative marks the evolution of the security strategy in Jakarta, from relying solely on the police to involving local communities.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Usai Ojol, Kini Pedagang Kopi Keliling Jadi Mata-mata Polisi di Jalan".]
