PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) is strengthening security and public order by increasing joint patrols, optimizing 24-hour surveillance, and strengthening the role of the community in protecting the environment.

This step is a follow-up to the results of a coordination meeting led by the Governor of West Java together with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) throughout Greater Bandung.

The Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, said that based on the data presented in the meeting, criminal acts such as aggravated theft, theft with violence (begal), and other criminal acts occurred evenly throughout the Greater Bandung area, including the border areas between regions.

"Because the community views Greater Bandung as one area, it must be handled collaboratively," said Farhan.

As a follow-up, the Bandung City Government will strengthen joint patrols with the police at several vulnerable locations. Furthermore, the Bandung City Command Center will optimize its 24-hour surveillance system.

Farhan explained that Bandung City has two command centers managed by the Transportation Agency and the Communication and Information Agency.

The facility will be re-equipped with speakers so that officers can provide direct warnings to the public if they detect potential security disturbances in public spaces.

"Officers at the command center and the Transportation Agency will be on standby 24/7 to support monitoring and respond quickly to various public reports," he said.

In addition to strengthening surveillance, joint patrols will also focus on a number of locations deemed vulnerable, particularly border areas and several public spaces in Bandung City.

These include Soekarno-Hatta–AH Nasution Street, Maluku Park, Elderly Park, Cibeunying Park, Regol Square, and Cicendo Square.

The patrols will involve police elements and will be carried out routinely from night to early morning as a preventive measure to reduce the potential for crime.

Meanwhile, the Bandung City Government is also strengthening preventative measures through the involvement of families, schools, and the community. This includes reinstating a curfew for students and encouraging schools to involve parents in child supervision.

According to Farhan, this policy is not intended to stigmatize students as criminals, but rather to protect them from becoming perpetrators or victims of crime.

"We want to prevent children from being influenced by environments that could potentially lead them to crime or become victims," he said.

The Bandung City Government also supports strengthening the concept of community policing or Polmas by reactivating the spirit of "Citizens Protecting Citizens, Citizens Protecting the City" which has long been known to the public as Siskamling.

The active role of citizens is considered to be one of the keys to creating a safe and conducive environment.

Farhan also asked the public not to be easily influenced by unverified information, including various viral content about crime issues circulating on social media.

He asked the public to continue to prioritize official information and work together to maintain the conduciveness of Bandung City.

"The most important thing now is to maintain public calm. Don't let unclear information exacerbate unrest. Let's work together to maintain security in Bandung," he said.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)