Flood lights installed at Cawang City Park in East Jakarta to combat prostitution

The East Jakarta municipal government has installed two flood lights at Cawang City Park in Kebon Pala, Makasar, as a preventive measure against suspected prostitution activities.

“The colleagues from the East Jakarta Sub-Department of Road Development will increase lighting at Cawang City Park by installing two flood lights,” said Makasar District Head Dimas Prayudi at the park on Friday, 27 February.

The measure follows reports and public concerns about the misuse of the park during night-time hours. Lighting is considered an important factor in suppressing potential social risks and other negative activities in the green space.

Dimas explained that the flood lights were installed to ensure the park area is clearly visible from outside, particularly during night hours. “We are increasing lighting so that activities within the park can be seen from outside. With these two flood lights, areas that were previously dark are now brighter,” he stated.

During an unannounced inspection, Dimas and his team discovered several contraceptives within the park. “We found some contraceptive devices in the park. We don’t know what they were used for, but this is a serious concern for us,” Dimas said.

Cawang City Park came under scrutiny following the discovery of contraceptives and empty alcoholic bottles in the green space. These findings prompted concerns about alleged prostitution and other misuse of the park, contrary to its function as a public facility.

The inspection was conducted jointly with village officials, district officials, and representatives from the three-pillar security system, comprising military and police neighbourhood protection officers from Kebon Pala Village.

According to Dimas, parks should serve as healthy social interaction spaces for the community—for exercise, family recreation, or community activities. Negative activities could create social risks and discomfort for residents.

The district government has taken several preventive steps to reduce the potential for public space misuse. One such measure involves permanently sealing two entry points to Cawang City Park through concrete closure. “We are permanently sealing two access points today through concreting, in cooperation with the Sub-Department of Parks and Urban Forests,” Dimas said.

Additionally, a section of the park fence bordering the toll road has received attention. Combined personnel discovered gaps in the fence frequently used by residents to enter the park unofficially. On the same day, officers welded the access points shut. “We welded it today because there were some resident activities using that gap to enter the park area,” Dimas explained.

In addition to physical improvements, monitoring has been intensified through night operations involving the Civil Police Unit and the three-pillar elements comprising the military and police. Routine operations begin at 21:00 to ensure the park remains secure.

Previously, an Instagram video went viral showing a group of young men entering the park through the fence perimeter. “This park often becomes a gathering place for men, I don’t know their intentions, every night after 01:00, they gather and enter the park until 02:00,” said someone who recorded the video at the location.