PENANGGULANGAN BALAP LIAR OLEH KEPOLISIAN DI KOTA MALANG (Studi Kasus di Kepolisian Resor Malang Kota)

Illegal racing involving teenagers in Malang City is a social phenomenon that not only violates the provisions of traffic laws, but also threatens the safety of road users and public order. This activity shows low legal awareness among the younger generation and is influenced by social and cultural factors, such as the search for self-identity and the strong solidarity of the motorcycle community. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the form of legal and social approaches carried out by the Malang City Police in tackling illegal racing, as well as identify the obstacles faced in its implementation. This study uses an empirical juridical research method with a sociological juridical approach. Data was obtained from primary data through interviews with Malang City Police police officers as well as field observations, and secondary data sourced from laws and regulations, books, scientific journals, and related documents. The data collection technique was carried out through interviews and literature studies, while the data analysis used a qualitative descriptive method to systematically and factually describe efforts to counter illegal racing in Malang City. The results of the study show that the countermeasures of illegal racing by the Malang City Police are carried out through a pre-emptive, preventive, and repressive approach. Pre-emptive and preventive approaches, such as legal education, routine patrols, and control operations, are considered more effective in the long term, while repressive approaches through law enforcement provide a temporary deterrent effect. This study also found that there are internal obstacles in the form of limited personnel and safety risks for officers, as well as external obstacles in the form of low legal awareness of adolescents, weak family roles, and motorcycle community culture. Therefore, synergy is needed between police officers, families, educational institutions, local governments, and the community to suppress the practice of illegal racing in a sustainable manner.