Dedi Mulyadi Uses Personal Funds for Street Crime Capture Rewards

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi is personally funding a novel initiative to combat street crime by offering substantial cash rewards to citizens who successfully apprehend and surrender criminals to law enforcement. The program offers rewards ranging from Rp 5 million to Rp 50 million for capturing perpetrators of theft, pickpocketing, and robbery.

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As in school, students will study harder if there is ranking or appreciation. Likewise in the community, this motivation is still greatly needed to drive shared concern.

Mulyadi stated that this approach is designed to foster public engagement in maintaining security and to prevent residents from resorting to mob justice. He likened the reward system to academic recognition, suggesting that appreciation motivates community participation and awareness. "As in school, students will study harder if there is ranking or appreciation. Likewise in the community, this motivation is still greatly needed to drive shared concern," Mulyadi explained.

The governor emphasized that the initiative's primary goal is not solely to increase the number of arrests but to fundamentally alter the public's response to crime. Instead of engaging in collective punishment, citizens are encouraged to hand over suspects to authorities for legal processing. "If there is a reward from me, the public just needs to hand them over without having to be judged, and they can get appreciation. Psychologically, this will influence public behavior," he said.

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If there is a reward from me, the public just needs to hand them over without having to be judged, and they can get appreciation. Psychologically, this will influence public behavior.

To ensure accountability, Mulyadi clarified that rewards will only be disbursed after the captured individual has been officially declared a suspect by the police and has not suffered undue harm during the apprehension process. Minor injuries sustained during the arrest may be considered acceptable. This initiative is being coordinated with the West Java Regional Police, who have reportedly increased patrols in high-risk areas.

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If there are minor injuries due to the arrest process, it might still be considered normal. Besides that, the reward will only be given after the perpetrator meets the legal qualifications and is officially declared a suspect by the police.