Bogus bomb causes panic in N. Jakarta

Bogus bomb causes panic in N. Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Residents in this city have many ways of
punishing someone in their community who they believe has
violated and disturbed the public's interest.

Residents of Jl. Jembatan Gambang, at the Penjaringan
subdistrict in North Jakarta, threatened their uncooperative
neighbor with something similar to a time bomb on Friday evening.

The 'bomb,' which caused fear among onlookers, forced city
police to send out a special bomb squad to get rid of it. After
minutes of heart-stopping drama, during the evacuation of the
bomb site, the squad uncovered that the 'bomb' was only a
transformer equipped with a small bulb and cables.

"It just looks like a bomb," North Jakarta police chief Lt.
Col. Edi Darnadi told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

The special squad found a letter stuck on the 'bomb', warning
the owners of bajaj (three-wheel taxis) in the area to properly
manage their properties, paying special attention to the noise
coming from the vehicles, their parking and the lubricating oil
leaking from the vehicles.

Based on statements given by witnesses, and on evidence
available, police believe the 'bomb' was placed by a number of
angry neighbors inside a trash bin in front of the house of
Marina, the owner of the bajaj taxis.

The 'bomb' was first spotted, at around 10 p.m., and
identified as a box with a red light on it by Marina's servant,
Sularsih, who then reported it to his employer.

Marina called the nearby Penjaringan police officers, who
later asked for support from the city police bomb squad.

"I called the bomb squad immediately because I know nothing
about dealing with bombs," head of Penjaringan police precinct,
Maj. Deddy Fauzi, told the Post.

According to Deddy, many residents in the area have complained
about the improper ways the bajaj roar down the roads in the
housing complex.

They were probably tired of making polite reminders to the
bajaj owner, he said. (bsr)