Corona virus or Covid-19 not only has implications for public health aspects, but also affects the socio-economic aspects of a surge in unemployment. This increase in unemployment turned out to have an impact on increasing crime during the Covid-19 Pandemic, so that the public was expected to be more vigilant.
Workers affected by layoffs no longer have a steady income to support their families. This phenomenon causes poor people to become poorer.
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) through the National Police Headquarters Karopenmas, Brig. Gen. Argo Yuwono stated, during the 19th pandemic there had been an increase in crime rates of 19.72 percent from before the pandemic.
Argo said, cases that occurred include crime, violations, disruption and disaster. Of all, he stated disorders such as the discovery of corpses and suicide the most.
Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations of the Jakarta Police, Commissioner Pol Yusri Yunus stated, in the midst of the corona virus outbreak, the most common crime in his area was theft, mugging and robbery of minimarkets.
With the government’s encouragement to study, work and worship at home, the perpetrators of crimes are now rarely demolishing houses.
In just 7 days, there were five cases of robbery and theft in the Jabodetabek minimarket. One of them was a robbery that took place at the Cipondoh minimarket, Tangerang City on the night of April 12. The robbery was carried out by two people with the initials FS and A. They both had stolen fragrance detergent and perfume.
In addition, acts of theft at the minimarket also occurred at Gambir minimarket, two people tried to break into a minimarket in Depok. They carried out the action by bringing sickles and frightening minimarket employees who were preparing to close their outlets. The perpetrators violently captured 3 minimarket employees and raided money worth Rp 35 million, then they fled.
On different occasions, there were also cases of theft in the Arundina area, Cibubur, East Jakarta. The two perpetrators came by car, they tasted 9 cans of milk. The police on patrol caught them and gave chase. Both were arrested after crashing into another driver because of panic
Crimes have also taken place in Madura, at least in this week, the community has been shocked by crime ranging from theft, murder, robbery and the discovery of corpses.
In Sumenep, this theft action targeted a number of fish ponds in the Kalianget sub-district. Perpetrators are not half-hearted as many as 30 perpetrators. 7 of them successfully secured by the police.
Kombes Trunodoyo as the Head of Public Relations of the East Java Regional Police said that crime will continue to be subverted without knowing the moment and the situation, even in the midst of the 19th pandemic
The rise of this criminal case certainly encourages the role of the government and also the authorities in its handling. The Indonesian National Police took security measures by conducting patrols or raids against street crime, theft, illegal collection and thuggery.
The National Police also cooperated with the TNI and local government officials to provide measurable and decisive action not to hesitate in shooting criminals.
The National Police also collaborated with prisons and local governments to monitor prisoners who were free because of the corona pandemic.
In Solo, Mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo invited the people to put a block in their homes to maintain the security of the village from crime.
He also invited the community to revive the mobile patrol. The invitation was made to reduce public concern over various criminal acts that were rife during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Semarang Police Polrestabes also intensified night patrols as an effort to anticipate crimes during the 19th pandemic.
In addition to street crime patrols, Semarang Police also deployed traffic cars and community guidance (Binmas) to continue to disperse the crowd of residents on the side of the road or stalls. This was done in order to prevent the spread of the corona virus.
The security forces also have a dual duty at the moment, in addition to regulating crowds of people, is also tasked with securing the area from criminal acts such as theft and robbery.
Criminal news in the midst of a pandemic certainly must make us aware of any potential crimes that could arise. Preventive and repressive measures such as the installation of CCTVs and clams in front of a house can certainly be done to maintain security during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alfisyah Kumalasari, the writer is a citizen, active in the Press Circle and Cikini Students
