Introduction

Crimes against property, particularly C3 offenses which include theft with aggravating circumstances, robbery, and motor vehicle theft, continue to be one of the forms of crime that most disturb society. The high intensity of C3 crimes not only causes material losses to the victims but also impacts the disruption of public security and order. In modern social life, a sense of security is an important part of the public's rights that must be guaranteed by the state through an effective, professional, and fair law enforcement system. Therefore, the success of law enforcement officers in addressing C3 crimes becomes an important indicator in assessing the quality of legal protection for the public.[1]

Normatively, the state has provided a strong legal basis for addressing the crime of theft through the Criminal Code and its regulation in Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.[2] In addition, Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the Indonesian National Police emphasizes that the police have the primary functions of maintaining public security and order, enforcing the law, as well as providing protection and services to the community.[3] In that context, the police are not only tasked with taking action against perpetrators of criminal acts, but are also obliged to create a sense of security through effective preventive and repressive measures. However, the existence of comprehensive legal regulations does not always correspond to the effectiveness of law enforcement in the field. In practice, C3 crimes continue to occur with increasingly developed and complex modes of operation.[4]

The issue of the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes becomes increasingly important when associated with the social conditions of a community that heavily relies on security stability. A high crime rate in a particular area can affect the public's trust in law enforcement officers and create concerns in carrying out daily activities. Many members of the community feel that C3 crimes occur repeatedly in certain areas even though the police have taken various countermeasures. This condition shows that the effectiveness of law enforcement is not only measured by the number of cases successfully solved, but also by the extent to which law enforcement can provide a sense of security and legal certainty for the public.[5]

In practice, the handling of C3 crimes faces various structural and cultural obstacles. Factors such as limited facilities and infrastructure, the number of personnel, technological developments utilized by criminals, as well as low public legal awareness, become challenges that affect the success of law enforcement.[6] In addition, the legal culture of a society that is still not very cooperative in providing information or reporting criminal acts also becomes a particular obstacle for the police. This condition shows that the effectiveness of law enforcement is not only influenced by the quality of legal regulations, but is also influenced by factors related to law enforcement officers, society, and legal culture as stated in Soerjono Soekanto's theory of legal effectiveness.[7]

Metro City, as one of the urban areas in Lampung Province, is also not immune to the threat of C3 crimes that have the potential to disrupt community security. In recent years, the Metro Police have continued to take various preventive and repressive measures to reduce crime rates, such as routine patrols in vulnerable areas, increased night surveillance, uncovering criminal networks, and strengthening coordination with the community and relevant agencies.[8] Nevertheless, C3 crimes still occur and cause unrest among the community. This phenomenon shows that there is an issue regarding the extent to which law enforcement carried out by the Metro Police Resort is effective in tackling C3 crimes and realizing a sense of security for the community optimally.[9]

Research on the effectiveness of law enforcement has actually been conducted extensively, but most previous studies have focused more on aspects of criminal prosecution or the factors causing crime in general. Meanwhile, research that specifically analyzes the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes by the Metro Police Resort and its implications for the sense of security of the Metro City community is still relatively limited. Therefore, this study has urgency to be conducted in order to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the effectiveness of law enforcement and the protection of the community's sense of security from a normative legal perspective.

Method

This research uses the normative juridical method, which is a legal research method that places law as norms, rules, principles, and systems that apply in legislation as well as in law enforcement practices.[10] This method is used because the research focus is directed at analyzing the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes (aggravated theft, robbery, and motor vehicle theft) by the Metro Police and its implications for the sense of security of the Metro City community. The normative juridical approach allows the research to be conducted systematically on legal rules, the theory of legal effectiveness, and the implementation of law enforcement in the practice of addressing C3 criminal acts.

To support the research analysis, three main approaches are used, namely the statutory approach, the conceptual approach, and the case approach. The statutory approach is used to examine various legal provisions related to the crime of theft and the authority of the police in law enforcement, including the Criminal Code, Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, Law Number 8 of 1981 concerning Criminal Procedure Law, and Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia. This approach aims to study the scope of legal regulations regarding the handling of C3 crimes as well as the authority of the police in maintaining security and public order.[11]

Furthermore, a conceptual approach is used to understand the fundamental concepts related to the effectiveness of law, law enforcement, legal protection, and the sense of security in society. Through this approach, the study relates Soerjono Soekanto's theory of legal effectiveness, Lawrence M. Friedman's theory of the legal system, as well as the concept of community protection from the perspective of criminal law and policing law. This conceptual approach is important for analyzing the factors that influence the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes, whether originating from the substance of the law, law enforcement officers, facilities and infrastructure, or the legal culture of society.[12] In addition, this study also uses a case approach to analyze the practices of handling C3 crimes by the Metro Police. This approach is carried out through a review of crime data, crime prevention policies, and legal phenomena that develop in the Metro City community. Through the case approach, the study can observe the extent to which law enforcement implementation against C3 crimes has been carried out effectively and how its implications affect the public's sense of security as the main goal of law enforcement.

The sources of legal materials in this research consist of primary legal materials, secondary legal materials, and tertiary legal materials. Primary legal materials include laws and regulations related to criminal acts of theft and police authority. Secondary legal materials are obtained through literature study of legal journals, scientific books, previous research results, academic articles, and official documents relevant to the research object. Meanwhile, tertiary legal materials are obtained from legal dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other supporting sources that help explain the terms and legal concepts used in the research. The technique for collecting legal materials is carried out through library research, namely by gathering and reviewing various literature, legal documents, and reference materials related to the research. All obtained legal materials are then analyzed using qualitative analysis methods by interpreting legal norms, connecting theory with law enforcement practice, and systematically elaborating issues to obtain a comprehensive conclusion regarding the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes by the Metro Police. By using this research method, it is expected that the study can provide a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes as well as the factors that influence its success in creating a sense of security for the people of Metro City.

Results and Discussion

A. The Effectiveness of Law Enforcement on C3 Crimes by Metro Police Resort

C3 crimes, which include theft with aggravation (curat), robbery (curas), and motor vehicle theft (curanmor), are forms of conventional crime that have a significant impact on the stability of public security. The high rate of C3 crimes not only causes material losses but also generates fear, anxiety, and a decline in public trust in the effectiveness of law enforcement. In this context, the Metro Police Department plays an important role as a law enforcement institution responsible for maintaining public security and order as regulated in Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the Indonesian National Police.[13] Based on the 2024 Year-End Release from Metro Police, a total of 602 criminal cases occurred throughout 2024 with a case resolution rate reaching 449 cases or around 75%. Specifically for C3 crimes, a total of 127 cases were recorded with 98 cases resolved (Metro Police, 2024). This data shows that C3 crimes are still one of the relatively dominant forms of criminality in the Metro City area and require more serious and sustainable handling.[14]

Entering the year 2026, C3 crimes in Metro City still show a fairly high trend. In January 2026, the South Metro Police successfully uncovered a case of theft with aggravation (burglary) that occurred in a boarding house in Margorejo Village, South Metro District. In this case, two perpetrators were apprehended after being proven to have stolen a laptop and a camera belonging to the victim who had gone back to their hometown. The resolution of this case indicates that theft crimes still frequently occur in residential areas with low security supervision.[15] In addition, in February 2026, the Tekab 308 Precision Team of the Metro Police also succeeded in uncovering a robbery case (violent theft) involving a woman on Ahmad Yani Street, East Metro District. The perpetrator carried out the act by cornering the victim using a motorcycle and committing physical violence before taking the victim's belongings. This case shows that C3 criminal acts not only result in material losses but also threaten public safety in public spaces, especially at night.[16]

Another case also occurred in January 2026 when the West Metro Police Station uncovered a motorcycle theft crime using a modus operandi of asking for help from the victim. The perpetrator pretended to ask for a ride before eventually taking the victim's motorcycle. This modus operandi shows that C3 crime perpetrators have begun to use social and manipulative approaches to facilitate their actions, making it increasingly difficult for the public to detect potential criminal acts from the start.[17] In March and April 2026, the Metro Police once again uncovered several cases of aggravated theft that occurred in the South Metro and Central Metro areas. One case that drew considerable attention was the theft of cash amounting to IDR 40 million and electronic goods from a resident’s house in Margodadi Village, South Metro. In another case, a domestic worker was also arrested for stealing her employer's jewelry in Central Metro. These cases show that criminal acts of theft in Metro City are not only carried out on the streets but also occur within households and social relationships. To clarify the development of cases and the handling of C3 crimes in Metro City in 2026, the following table presents the cases and law enforcement responses by the Metro Police:

Table 1. Cases and Handling of C3 Crimes by Metro Police Resort in 2026

Based on the table, it can be seen that aggravated theft (curat) remains the most dominant form of crime in Metro City. The methods of committing crimes have also evolved, not only carried out conventionally but also beginning to take advantage of social approaches and the victims' negligence. This condition shows that the effectiveness of law enforcement cannot rely solely on action after a crime occurs, but also requires preventive strategies that are more adaptive to the developments in criminal patterns. To address this situation, the Metro Police have taken various preventive and repressive measures. Preventive efforts are carried out through routine patrols in areas prone to crime, especially from night until early morning. Patrols are focused on residential areas, main roads, and areas considered vulnerable to C3 criminal acts. In March 2026, the East Metro Sector Police even increased precision patrols at several crime-prone points such as KH Dewantara Street, Basuki Rahmat Street, and the Tejo Agung Stadium area as an anticipatory measure against the increasing potential for C3 criminal acts.

In addition to routine patrols, the Metro Police also formed the CRT (Motor Vehicle Theft Response Team) to accelerate the response to motor vehicle theft cases and other street crimes. The formation of this team demonstrates an institutional effort by the police to strengthen the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes. However, in practice, the effectiveness of law enforcement still faces various challenges, such as personnel limitations, the increasingly modern development of perpetrators' modus operandi, and low public participation in maintaining neighborhood security. From Soerjono Soekanto's legal effectiveness theory perspective, this condition shows that law enforcement effectiveness is not only influenced by the police officers, but is also affected by factors such as facilities and infrastructure, legal culture, and public awareness of the importance of environmental security. When the community is still less active in the neighborhood security system and law enforcement officers are not yet fully able to reach all areas prone to crime, the potential for criminal acts will remain high.[18]

On the other hand, various public responses on social media also indicate that there is still criticism of the law enforcement pattern, which is considered to be reactive. Some members of the public believe that the police often act only after a crime has occurred, while preventive monitoring in areas prone to crime has not been carried out optimally. This criticism shows that the success of law enforcement cannot be measured solely by the number of perpetrators caught, but also by the ability of law enforcement officers to create a sense of security and prevent crimes before they happen. Thus, the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes by the Metro Police Resort in 2026 shows that there are fairly active efforts by the police in preventing and taking action against criminal acts. However, the high crime rate and the continued emergence of various C3 cases indicate that law enforcement needs to be strengthened through a more comprehensive approach, not only through repressive measures but also through the strengthening of preventive patrols, modernization of security surveillance systems, transparency in legal services, as well as increased community participation in maintaining environmental security.

B. Obstacles in Law Enforcement Against C3 Crimes

Although the Metro Police have carried out various efforts to combat C3 crimes, the effectiveness of law enforcement in practice still faces several structural, technical, and social obstacles. These obstacles indicate that criminal issues cannot be resolved solely through a repressive approach, but require a comprehensive overhaul of the legal system as well as active community involvement in creating environmental security. One of the main obstacles observed in the field is the still high number of aggravated theft crimes (curat) compared to other types of C3 crimes. According to the Metro Police 2024 Year-End Release, curat cases reached 115 cases and became the dominant criminal offense in Metro City. The high number indicates that preventive efforts carried out by law enforcement officers have not fully been able to reduce the opportunities for crimes to occur. In some cases, perpetrators take advantage of environmental conditions with minimal supervision, weak residential security systems, and low use of surveillance cameras (CCTV) in public areas as well as residential environments.

In addition to environmental factors, the development of criminals' modus operandi also poses a serious challenge in law enforcement. Criminals committing C3 crimes today no longer act individually and spontaneously, but tend to operate in an organized manner by utilizing communication technology to monitor situations and determine crime targets. In some local news reports, motor vehicle theft cases in Metro City show that perpetrators are able to carry out their actions in a short time using special tools to damage vehicle locks. This situation demonstrates that crime patterns develop faster than the preparedness of community security systems. On the other hand, obstacles also arise from within the law enforcement itself. Limited personnel and supporting facilities result in security supervision not being able to be carried out optimally across all areas prone to criminal activity. Metro City, which has a fairly high level of community mobility, requires a security pattern that is adaptive and technology-based, while in practice supervision still largely relies on conventional patrols. As a result, the response to certain criminal acts is sometimes considered slow by the public, especially when crimes occur at night or in suburban areas.[19]

Another quite prominent issue is the low level of trust among some members of the public in the law enforcement process. In various public discussions and local social media, complaints from the public are still found regarding the slow follow-up on vehicle loss reports as well as the minimal information on case developments after a report is made. This condition creates the perception that the legal process has not fully provided certainty for crime victims. This situation is important to note because public trust is the main foundation for the effectiveness of law enforcement. In addition, the legal culture of the community also affects the effectiveness of combating C3 crimes. There are still members of the community who are less concerned about environmental security, such as parking vehicles without additional protection, leaving areas poorly lit, or not participating in night patrol activities. From a criminology perspective, weak collective vigilance in the community can increase the likelihood of crime because offenders see open opportunities. To clarify the obstacles in law enforcement against C3 crimes in Metro City, the following table presents an analysis of the obstacles and their solutions:

Table 2. Obstacles and Solutions for Law Enforcement Against C3 Crimes

Based on the table, it can be seen that obstacles to law enforcement against C3 crimes do not entirely come from the police, but are also influenced by social conditions in society and the development of criminal patterns. Therefore, solutions to tackle them are not sufficient through simply arresting perpetrators, but must be accompanied by strengthening the environmental security system, improving the quality of legal services, and building public trust in law enforcement officers. From the perspective of Lawrence M. Friedman's legal system theory, the effectiveness of law enforcement is influenced by three main elements, namely legal structure, legal substance, and legal culture. Legal structure relates to the quality of law enforcement institutions and the preparedness of police officers in facing the development of crime. The substance of the law relates to the legal rules that form the basis for taking action against C3 criminal acts. Meanwhile, legal culture relates to the public's awareness of the importance of maintaining security and supporting the law enforcement process. Thus, the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes in Metro City must be understood as a shared responsibility between law enforcement officers and the community. The police need to improve professionalism, transparency, and the quality of public services, while the community needs to build collective awareness to maintain environmental security and actively support the law enforcement process.

C. The Implications of Law Enforcement on the Sense of Security of Metro City Residents

A sense of security is one of the main objectives of law enforcement in a modern rule of law state. In the context of C3 crimes, the effectiveness of law enforcement is not only measured by the number of perpetrators who are successfully apprehended or cases that are successfully resolved, but also by the extent to which the community truly feels legal protection in daily life. When criminal acts frequently occur within the community, the sense of security will decrease and affect the level of public trust in law enforcement officers. Therefore, the success of law enforcement against C3 crimes has a direct relationship with the psychological and social conditions of the Metro City community. Throughout 2026, various C3 crime cases still occurred in Metro City, ranging from theft in boarding houses in the South Metro area, motor vehicle theft in West Metro, to robbery against road users in East Metro. One case that particularly drew public attention was the snatching of a woman on Ahmad Yani Street, East Metro, which was carried out by the perpetrator at night using a motorcycle. This case caused concern among the public, especially women and road users active at night, because it showed that criminal acts can still happen in public spaces even though police patrols have been conducted.

In addition, cases of theft in boarding houses and residential areas that occurred in South Metro also show that residential areas are still the main target of property crimes. In several local media reports and public responses on social media, complaints about losing motor vehicles, empty house robberies, and theft actions during certain vulnerable hours are still found. This condition indicates that the sense of security among the community is not yet fully stable because people still feel concerned about the potential occurrence of crimes in their surroundings. This phenomenon is seen from the increasing efforts of self-security carried out by the community, such as installing surveillance cameras (CCTV), using double locks on vehicles, adding home fences, and reactivating night patrols in several residential areas. On one hand, this condition shows an increasing legal awareness and community participation in maintaining environmental security. However, on the other hand, it also shows that some people feel that security protection has not yet been able to optimally anticipate C3 crimes.

Amid these conditions, various measures taken by the Metro Police still have a positive impact on the stability of public security. Routine patrols in crime-prone areas, the resolution of several theft cases, as well as the formation of the CRT Team (Motor Vehicle Theft Response Team), demonstrate serious efforts by the police to curb crime rates. The presence of police officers in vulnerable points provides a preventive effect against potential criminal acts while also increasing public confidence that the state is present in maintaining social security. In some cases, the success of the police in uncovering motor vehicle theft and aggravated theft also provides a sense of justice for the victims. The swift resolution of cases strengthens public trust in law enforcement, especially when evidence is secured and perpetrators are processed in accordance with applicable legal provisions. However, on the other hand, there are still public criticisms regarding the quality of legal services, particularly concerning the slow follow-up on reports and the lack of transparency in case developments.

Some members of the public believe that after a report of loss is filed, information regarding the progress of case handling is often not communicated clearly to the victims. This situation affects the level of public satisfaction with legal services because the public not only needs the apprehension of perpetrators but also requires certainty of information and responsive communication from law enforcement officers. In this context, the quality of public services becomes an important part of building public trust in the police institution. Furthermore, there is still a perception that the pattern of law enforcement against C3 crimes tends to be reactive, meaning it only takes action after a crime occurs. In fact, the public also expects more concrete preventive measures such as increased night patrols, consistent monitoring of crime-prone areas, installation of CCTV at strategic points, and strengthening community-based security cooperation. This condition indicates that the effectiveness of law enforcement cannot be measured solely by the number of perpetrators successfully apprehended, but also by the ability of law enforcement officers to prevent criminal acts before they occur.

From the perspective of Soerjono Soekanto's legal effectiveness theory, the success of law enforcement is influenced by factors such as law enforcement officers, facilities and infrastructure, society, and the legal culture that develops in social life. When the public feels less trust in the legal process, public participation in supporting law enforcement will also decrease. Conversely, if the police are able to build good communication, provide responsive services, and ensure transparency in handling cases, the level of public trust and satisfaction with the law will increase. Therefore, tackling C3 crimes in Metro City cannot be done solely through a repressive approach in the form of arresting perpetrators of criminal acts. A preventive approach that addresses the root of social problems is also greatly needed. Strengthening community-based environmental security, improving public street lighting, installing CCTV at crime-prone points, providing legal education to the public, and optimizing technology-based patrols are important steps to sustainably increase the community's sense of safety. From the perspective of modern criminal law, effective law enforcement must be able to simultaneously create legal certainty, justice, and the usefulness of the law. Therefore, the success of the Metro Police in tackling C3 crimes is not only measured by the number of cases solved but also by the ability of law enforcement officers to build a sense of security, enhance public satisfaction with legal services, strengthen public trust, and create sustainable social stability in Metro City.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis results, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes by Metro Police shows quite an active effort in tackling the crimes of aggravated theft (curat), robbery (curas), and motor vehicle theft (curanmor). These efforts are carried out through routine patrols, the formation of the CRT (Curanmor Response Team), precision patrols in areas prone to crime, as well as the disclosure of various C3 crime cases that occurred in Metro City throughout 2026. Several cases, such as theft in boarding houses, snatching from road users, and motor vehicle theft, were successfully uncovered by the police as a form of repressive and preventive law enforcement. However, the effectiveness of law enforcement against C3 crimes is not yet fully optimal. This is evident from the still high rate of theft crimes in residential areas and public spaces, the development of increasingly modern criminal modus operandi, as well as ongoing public criticism of the quality of legal services and the slow follow-up on case reports. These conditions indicate that law enforcement is not only influenced by law enforcement officers, but also by factors such as facilities and infrastructure, legal culture, and public participation in maintaining environmental security as stated in Soerjono Soekanto's theory of legal effectiveness.

The implications of law enforcement against C3 crimes also directly affect the sense of security and the level of public satisfaction in Metro City. The presence of police officers through patrols and case investigations does indeed have a preventive effect and increases public trust in the law. However, the community still feels concerned about the potential for criminal acts, especially at night and in areas considered prone to crime. This is evident from the increased efforts in self-security, such as installing CCTV, using double locks on vehicles, and activating night patrols in the community. Therefore, law enforcement against C3 crimes in Metro City needs to be strengthened through a more comprehensive approach and not only focus on repressive measures after crimes occur. It is necessary to increase preventive patrols, modernize security surveillance systems, ensure transparency in legal services, accelerate the follow-up of community reports, and strengthen cooperation between the police and the public in maintaining environmental security. Thus, law enforcement will not only be able to reduce crime rates, but also enhance the sense of safety, public satisfaction, and trust in law enforcement institutions sustainably.