Awareness key to thwarting street crime in public places
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Film star Rachel Maryam was not immediately aware that she would be the victim of a mugging when her car stopped at traffic lights at the crowded and heavily clogged Coca-cola intersection in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta.
Two people pretending to be street musicians approached her vehicle and peered inside. In the next few seconds her car was surrounded by seven criminals, who rocked it to create panic while two of them smashed axes through the car's windows.
One culprit opened an unlocked door, pointed a pistol and asked for Rachel's cell phone on the dashboard.
In less than five seconds, they had taken the phone and escaped into the crowd.
"The street was crowded with students and many other people. But they did nothing. They didn't care," Rachel said at a recent seminar on street crime.
Police data shows that street crime was the second biggest crime category in the city in January and February, 2003, after drug-related crime.
In January, 33 cases of street crime were reported to police, while in February, 34 cases were reported.
University of Indonesia criminologist Adrianus Meliala said the chaotic and crowded city streets and public places, coupled with a person's ability to blend into a crowd unnoticed, provided the best places for criminals to commit offenses.
"It is a common sight in public places ... that many people witnessing a crime do nothing to help a victim."
Adrianus said many people were reluctant to put their lives at risk to confront the criminals.
Professional street criminals carefully calculated all factors using the existing conditions to commit crimes as suddenly and as quickly as they could before escaping, Adrianus said.
Criminologist Harkristuti Harkrisnowo concurred, saying the poorly maintained condition of public places was a contributing factor to street crimes.
"Dark streets due to poor street illumination, broken public facilities and people breaking laws, such as traffic regulations, contributed to ideal conditions for criminals to commit crime," Harkristuti said.
Adrianus said it was necessary for people to learn how to protect themselves from attack.
"In addition, people need to learn to immediately assess the risk and whether or not they should confront the criminals. If the criminals are professional, please, just give up. Otherwise, you will only risk your life," Adrianus said.
As an example, Rachel recounted a second attack, just two weeks after the first mugging.
Two people pretending to be newspaper hawkers smashed her car windows at the Rawamangun traffic lights in East Jakarta.
Her driver stamped on the accelerator, hitting the car in front to attract the attention of those nearby. It worked and the criminals fled.
"I had to pay for the damage (to the car). But, for me, I am more willing to pay for the repairs than lose my cell phone without giving any resistance."
On Tuesday, six pickpockets on Kopaja minibus 19, which serves Tanah Abang-Ragunan route, were thwarted by bus passengers who had the courage to confront the crooks.
Four of the six culprits, identified as Bobby Rinaldi, Mulyadi, Dasrin, and Tompul Simanjuntak, were arrested after shouts from the passengers alerted police outside National Police Headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo, in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.
Some tips for motorists to avoid attack when stopped
1. Always ensure that your car doors are properly locked.
2. Never leave your valuables, like cell phones, bags and wallets on the dashboard, especially when you stop at traffic lights.
3. Never use cell phones while stopped at traffic lights as crooks in most cases target those who use cell phones.
4. Maintain a space with the car in front to allow you to move the vehicle in order to scare off the culprits. Blow your horn to attract the attention of those around you.
5. If you are mugged, don't panic. Comply with the robber's demands to ensure you are not injured or worse.