Additional Security Officers Needed to Address RTH Abuse in Jakarta

There are still many green open spaces that are misused by a number of individuals in Jakarta. Additional security officers are also needed.

KOMPAS/NASRUN KATINGKA

Activities of a number of visitors at Langsat Park, Kramat Pela, South Jakarta, Thursday (7/9/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The addition of security personnel to maintain green open spaces in DKI Jakarta is necessary to ensure that they remain safe and conducive. This is because there are still many parks that are used by residents for personal purposes and even as places for deviant actions.

The Civil Service Police Unit, the sub-district government officials, and local residents are expected to coordinate with each other in deploying surveillance officers in green open spaces (RTH) or urban forests in their respective areas.

Used condom waste was found scattered in Taman Tubagus Angke, West Jakarta on Thursday (2/5/2024). The location is suspected to be used by certain residents for illegal prostitution. In addition, the area is poorly lit at night.

Chairman of Commission D of the DKI DPRD, Ida Mahmudah, asked the DKI Provincial Government (Pemprov) to add officers to guard the RTH following the discovery of contraceptive devices scattered in Tubagus Angke Park, West Jakarta. He also urged DKI Provincial Government to coordinate with RW and RT or sub-district administrators in each region.

"Green open space should be a safe and comfortable location for the community. We hope there can be cooperation between the Jakarta provincial government and local residents or administrators to provide assistance in dealing with undesirable situations," said Ida on Monday (May 6, 2024).

Also read: Collaboration to Increase Jakarta's Green Open Space

According to Ida, the DKI Provincial Government does not have enough officers to monitor RTH. Moreover, there have been no additional individual service providers (PJLP).

Therefore, Ida hopes that the public order police (satpol PP), sub-districts, or local residents can coordinate with each other to deploy monitoring officers in green open spaces or urban forests. These officers must take a firm stance to protect every green open space and not be defeated by certain individuals. She also hopes that the community can report any problems found in their environment's green open spaces so that they can be promptly followed up.

KOMPAS/ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Residents use sports equipment at Cattleya Park, West Jakarta, Friday (5/1/2024).

"Indeed, there is a shortage of personnel who guard green spaces. Urban parks and forests must have guards who can stand their ground and not be defeated by thugs in the area. Currently, there are only two to three personnel in each park with such a large area. Consequently, the parks are controlled by irresponsible individuals," said Ida.

In addition, they have also coordinated with the Jakarta City Parks and Forestry Department regarding the proposal for the formation of a joint task force. Ida also suggested the installation of CCTV cameras up to the fence to maintain order among residents in utilizing park areas.

Furthermore, according to Ida, the Jakarta City Parks and Forest Service (Distamhut) needs to conduct a comprehensive evaluation on the safety of several green areas in the Jakarta area. Therefore, the guards can be ensured to work to the maximum extent possible.

Also read: Tactics to Achieve 30 Percent of Green Open Space in Jakarta

"This applies to the entire region, not just in West Jakarta. All parks in DKI must be immediately inspected and evaluated by officials. CCTV in parks should also be checked if they are still functional or not," said Ida.

KOMPAS/ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Residents walk along the jogging track at Cattleya Park, West Jakarta, Friday (5/1/2024).

The West Jakarta Government also responded to the discovery of several contraceptives or condoms scattered in the public park on Tubagus Angke Street, Wijaya Kusuma, Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta. Following the discovery of the condoms, the West Jakarta Government temporarily prohibited residents from visiting the park. Subsequently, the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) tightened surveillance at Tubagus Angke Park.

"We have regularly assigned members to guard there," said Head of DKI Jakarta Satpol PP Arifin.

Arifin mentioned that his team has deployed a number of personnel to monitor the area for 24 hours. In addition, they also involve the community in the area to conduct surveillance so that they can together maintain their environment from unwanted occurrences.

All parks in DKI should immediately be inspected and evaluated by officials. CCTV in the parks should also be checked if they are still functioning or not.

"We also involve the head of the RW, sub-district and sub-district officials to jointly supervise," said Arifin.

The DKI Jakarta Public Order Agency also coordinates with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Park and Forest Department to prevent similar incidents from occurring. According to Arifin, the green open spaces must be designed better to prevent any deviation and other legal violations.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO (PRI)

Children play in the fountain which is one of the attractions of Taman Puring in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Wednesday (1/5/2024).

Edge Teak Park

The Central Jakarta Government had previously been asked to organize Jati Pinggir Park in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. The park located on the edge of the West Flood Canal is worrisome because it is not maintained.

Dozens of joint officials conducted enforcement in Taman Jati Pinggir on Thursday (25/4/2024). The officials cleaned up the park from junk and poultry cages.

Petamburan Village Chief Rian Hermanu said that this crackdown activity was carried out in response to residents' complaints. This is because the public green open space has been used as a location for hoarding scrap items and chicken coops.

The use of park land violates the Jakarta Regional Regulation Number 8 of 2007 regarding public order. Apart from causing the environment to become slum-like, the occupation of land by certain individuals also disrupts the function of urban green space that has been used as a means of public social interaction.

Also read: The Importance of Green Open Space for Residents in Dense Settlements

Rian said that his staff had been routinely cleaning the area. However, awareness among a number of residents is still minimal.

REBIYYAH SALASAH

People picnic in the National Monument park area, Central Jakarta, on Sunday (23/4/2024).

To prevent this issue from recurring, they, along with the local RW officials, are educating residents to not occupy green belts. Regarding facility damage, they are coordinating with the local unit of government agencies.

Constraint

Urban planning observer from Trisakti University, Nirwono Joga, stated that the expensive cost of green space maintenance is a challenge for Jakarta's Environmental Agency. Therefore, maintenance and care are still insufficient.

"The Jakarta Provincial Government needs to request a larger budget for maintaining green open spaces. In Jakarta, the cost of maintaining one square meter is only Rp 2,000, while in Singapore, the cost can reach up to Rp 200,000 for one square meter of maintenance. This means that the cost is multiples higher, which is why it's not surprising that the quality of green open spaces is much better," he said.

Human resources are also equally important according to Nirwono. He said that the government needs to consider partnering with the private sector in the development and maintenance of green open spaces in order to lighten the burden of Regional Budget Revenues and Expenditures.