Wednesday, 11 November 2026
LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Labuhanbatu Selatan Police have urged residents of Sabungan Village, Sungai Kanan District, to take a more active role in maintaining neighbourhood security and tackling the theft of oil palm fruit and loose palm fruit. Police stressed that public involvement is essential to preventing crime and maintaining a safe and peaceful community.
The appeal came during a community gathering held at the Sabungan Village Office Hall in Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency on Wednesday, 11 November 2026.During the meeting, police officers opened a direct channel of communication with village officials, community leaders and local residents to discuss security concerns and strengthen cooperation between the police and the public.
Labuhanbatu Selatan Police Chief AKBP Rosef Efendi, S.I.K., M.H., CPHR., was represented at the event by Deputy Police Chief Kompol Moch. Guntur Priyantoko, S.H., M.H. He was accompanied by Sungai Kanan Police Chief Iptu Apri Sudiarno Damanik, S.H., M.H., Public Relations Officer AKP Sujono, Internal Affairs Unit Chief IPDA Haris Fadillah, and personnel from Labuhanbatu Selatan Police and Sungai Kanan Police.Also attending were Sabungan Acting Village Head Laila Majnun Siregar, S.Pd., Village Secretary Parsatuan Rangkuti, community leaders and local residents.
He explained that face-to-face meetings provided an opportunity for two-way communication. Residents could raise complaints, discuss local problems and express their concerns directly to the police rather than waiting for issues to escalate.
The Deputy Police Chief also reminded residents to use the 110 Call Centre to report criminal offences or disturbances to public order and security. The service provides a channel for reporting incidents so that police can receive information promptly and respond according to circumstances on the ground."Through this activity, the police want to build good communication with the community. We hope residents will raise their problems and complaints directly so that we can work together to find solutions," said the Deputy Police Chief, conveying the Police Chief's message.
Kompol Guntur further emphasised that maintaining security was not solely the responsibility of the police. Village authorities, community leaders and residents all had important roles to play in preserving harmony and remaining alert to potential threats in their surroundings.He said strong relationships between the police and the public could help identify problems at an early stage. This would allow potential conflicts and criminal activities to be addressed before they developed into more serious security concerns.
Sungai Kanan Police Chief IPTU Apri Sudiarno Damanik specifically urged Sabungan residents to work together to prevent and combat the theft of plantation produce.
He warned residents against involvement in such activities, whether as direct perpetrators or by helping to sell and distribute stolen produce.The Police Chief also directed particular attention to agricultural produce collectors. He urged them to exercise greater caution when accepting or purchasing oil palm fruit and loose palm fruit, particularly where there were grounds to suspect that the produce had been stolen.
According to IPTU Apri, police efforts to tackle plantation theft would require public support to disrupt the chain of illegal activity. Taking action against offenders alone would not be sufficient if other parties continued to provide opportunities to sell stolen produce."Do not give those responsible for plantation theft any room to operate. We urge the entire community and all produce collectors to work together to maintain security and refrain from buying oil palm fruit or loose palm fruit suspected of being stolen," the Police Chief said.
He expressed hope that residents would have the courage to reject any form of involvement in the theft of plantation produce. Such action would help protect plantation owners while creating a safer and more orderly environment for agricultural businesses.
Meanwhile, Bahtiar Siregar, representing the people of Sabungan Village, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to officers from Labuhanbatu Selatan Police and Sungai Kanan Police for visiting the village and engaging directly with residents.
He said face-to-face meetings gave the community an opportunity to put forward concerns, discuss local issues and establish better communication with the police."We appreciate and thank Labuhanbatu Selatan Police and Sungai Kanan Police for coming to our village.
We hope activities like this will continue because they give residents an opportunity to express their concerns while strengthening relations between the police and the community," Bahtiar said.His remarks highlighted the importance of a policing approach that actively encourages public participation. Through direct dialogue, residents can explain the problems they face, while police officers gain a clearer understanding of local security conditions.
The community gathering forms part of Labuhanbatu Selatan Police's efforts to establish a closer, more open and sustainable partnership with local residents. Police hope to continue holding similar events so that communities become increasingly involved in maintaining security in their neighbourhoods.Amid various security challenges, effective communication between law enforcement officers and the public remains an important element of crime prevention. Information provided by residents can help police identify potential threats at an early stage and determine appropriate preventive measures.
Labuhanbatu Selatan Police therefore hope that village authorities, community leaders, plantation owners, produce collectors and residents will maintain a shared commitment to rejecting plantation theft and other forms of criminal activity.Ultimately, neighbourhood security depends on more than the presence of law enforcement officers. Public awareness, the courage to report offences and the willingness to refuse support for criminal activities are equally important in creating a safe, harmonious and peaceful community. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
