Efforts To Overcome Criminal Acts Of Thughinist Crime In Belawan Bahari

Abstract

Thuggery is a form of crime that creates a sense of insecurity, disrupts public order, and impacts the social and economic activities of the community in the Belawan Bahari area. This study aims to analyze efforts to overcome the crime of thuggery, identify the forms of handling carried out by law enforcement officers and the community, and describe the obstacles faced in the process of overcoming it. The research method used is empirical juridical with a descriptive-analytical approach, through a literature study of related laws and regulations, and field data collection in the form of interviews and/or observations of relevant parties. The results of the study indicate that the prevention of thuggery in Belawan Bahari is carried out through two main approaches, namely preventive (routine patrols, legal guidance/counseling, strengthening police-community partnerships, and mapping vulnerable areas) and repressive (investigation, action, arrest, and legal proceedings against perpetrators in accordance with applicable regulations). The main obstacles include low participation in reporting due to fear of threats, economic and environmental factors that encourage thuggery, limited law enforcement resources, and lack of coordination between parties. This study recommends strengthening community-based prevention strategies, increasing witness/whistleblower protection, and ongoing synergy between authorities, local governments, and community leaders to effectively suppress thuggery practices.