'I'm armed with a can of mace'<\/p>\n
A taxi passenger reported to the police last week she had been
\nrobbed by a group of three men inside a taxi which she said
\nlooked like one owned by a reputable taxi company. The news has
\nrenewed concerns over the safety of taxi passengers. The Jakarta
\nPost asked residents how they ensured their safety while taking a
\ntaxi.<\/p>\n
Kustantiyah, 24, is a receptionist at a language institute in
\nDepok. She takes a taxi if she has to go home late:<\/p>\n
I usually do not take a taxi alone, I am always with a friend.
\nMaybe that helps overcoming insecurity. Moreover, the more the
\nmerrier.<\/p>\n
I have noticed that there are taxi companies, especially those
\nwe are unfamiliar with, who tamper with the meter and hire
\ndrivers that are not reliable. They drive too fast and are not
\nvery polite.<\/p>\n
Luckily, I have never experienced this. My friends and I feel
\nthat if we choose taxis with friendly drivers, we will be safe.<\/p>\n
Sugeng Purnomo, 29, is a public relations executive who lives
\nin Central Jakarta. He takes a taxi to and from his office every
\nday:<\/p>\n
I feel secure because I always choose a taxi from a reputable
\ntaxi company.<\/p>\n
Since I work in the hotel industry, I always take a taxi from
\nthe hotel. So far I haven't had any experience riding a taxi with
\na careless driver. Most of them are disciplined.<\/p>\n
And as soon as I sit inside, I remind the driver to lock the
\ndoors. After that, I keep my friends informed about the taxi
\nnumber during my trip.<\/p>\n
Esther Rajagukguk, 31, works in an engineering company on Jl.
\nTB Simatupang, South Jakarta. She takes a taxi to work from her
\nhouse in Cinere, Depok; some 30 minutes drive:<\/p>\n
I know it's not safe for women nowadays to travel at night,
\neven if we want to go to the store across the street.<\/p>\n
I often have to work late, but luckily I have some friends in
\nthe work team who live in the same area as me so we can take a
\ntaxi together.<\/p>\n
And hey, I'm armed. I always carry my little can of mace spray
\nin my bag. So when I'm alone in a taxi, I always put my right
\nhand inside my bag, so I can reach for the can fast.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/im-armed-with-a-can-of-mace-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }