Many Jakartans these days simply feel threatened

By Devi M. Asmarani

JAKARTA (JP): Imagine this. You are driving alone late at night, slowing down at a red light in a not-so-familiar area, when you suddenly realize that your car is the only one in sight.

Three young scruffy-looking males with a guitar are approaching. You begin to feel a rush of panic and wonder whether you should stop or run through the red light, instead, to get to a safer place.

If you choose the second alternative, there is nothing wrong. No one should have the right to call you an awful lawbreaker or a deluded paranoid.

Like many Jakartans these days, you simply feel threatened.

With the crime level rising, residents find their safety at stake on a daily basis. But that does not mean you should quit all activities and become a homebody.

All it takes is alertness, self-defense devices and some luck (as most crimes do occur randomly).

Let's start at home.

Check all the doors, gate, windows or any possible entrance. See whether the locks need replacing. Many Jakartans put up bars in their windows, if you haven't yet, it is not too late.

Brief everyone in the house, including the maids and gardeners, to stay cautious. Tell them to keep the gates locked at all times, and to be alert for strangers trying to get in the house by various means.

Some of the most horrendous robberies actually take place in the daytime when the owners are out of the house.

The robbers often coax the maids or whoever at the door to let them in whether in disguise as television repairmen or as long- time relatives wanting to wait until the house owners get home.

Tell the house occupants that no unknown people shall get in the house for whatever reason without confirming with you.

Leave important numbers by the telephone: the nearest police office, fire department, ambulance, and relatives or friends living nearby.

If your phone is equipped, put the numbers in its memory to eliminate the time it takes searching for and dialing the number.

When it happens that you have to defend yourself, you can start with a simple arm-length stick like a baseball bat.

Some people keep machetes or big knives at hand for safety. But, beware, sharp instruments can backfire on you.

One home-protecting device available in the market now is the sleeping-gas canister, a Rp 10 million (US$1,111) investment with enough fumes to anesthetize as much as 1,000 people for eight hours.

The device is installed on the outside wall of a house and connected through pipes to be controlled from the inside.

This can be a device too expensive for most families, however.

You can instead put a brighter light in your front yard to spot intruders, and join the nightly neighborhood watch.

Set aside a sum of money every month and hire a credible security guard.

On the street, things get more unpredictable and random. So be prepared before leaving the house.

It is wise to carry a mace or pepper spray and a whistle at all times. A palm-size tear spray costs about Rp 50,000, larger imported ones cost up to Rp 750,000.

If you plan to ride a cab or a public transport vehicle, put enough money for the ride in your pocket to avoid exposing your wallet.

Never flash your belongings.

Spare the jewelry, and restrain your affinity with the cellular phone in public.

In crowded public areas, hold on tight to your purse or bag and do not get easily distracted by minor commotions, which are usually created by pickpockets to divert attention.

Pick a credible taxi, memorize their signs and colors, and call for one if possible. Check the front seat for any hiding passenger, and see whether the childlock button on the side of the door is activated, then lock the doors.

If you drive, make sure the car's tires, ignition system, oil and lights are checked every week.

Lock the car doors and buckle up. Keep a socket wrench or any iron tools nearby. Stay away from dubious streets that are prone to crime, and always be alert during massive traffic jams and at traffic lights.

Put important tollroad emergency numbers in your mobile's memory and limit going out really late at night.

Try not to offend beggars or street singers at traffic lights, although you do not plan to give them money.

If you are being targeted, it is best not to resist to prevent being hurt.

But this does not mean you should turn a blind eye to other's sufferings. When you see a driver being attacked, blow your horn and encourage others to do so to get the attention of security personnel and to discourage the attackers.

It is not hard to be prepared, but it is easier to become careless and make yourself look like a victim in the making.