Pickpockets in school uniforms

From Media Indonesia

The case of wayward students is far more serious than we think. Their actions cannot be considered as merely the misbehavior of growing children: their "games" border on crime. Nowadays, students resort to robbing and pickpocketing.

I have lived through such an experience on the train transiting the Jakarta-Bogor route as I was returning home from work on April 15. The train, as usual, was crowded with homebound passengers, comprising office workers, traders and students.

I disembarked from the train at Lenteng Agung station in Depok and had just taken a few steps away from the train as it began moving on its way to Bogor when one of the uniformed students standing in a train car doorway snatched my handbag. The move startled me. I held on to my handbag and started a struggle between myself and the student. In the meantime, the train was gathering speed and I had to let go of my bag, since the student had gained support from his friends.

At any rate, the brief draw and pull session has left raw patches on my arm.

The odd thing was that nobody from among the crowd that exited the train along with me came to my rescue. Not even when I shouted for help.

I have duly reported the incident to the Lenteng Agung station management and to the police, which happened to be located opposite the station, hoping that they could help me.

Herewith, I warn the public to stay away from uniformed students, wherever you may meet them. They are just a bad lot.

And to the youngsters who robbed me of my handbag, I am appealing to you to return my ID card and other important papers, which are of no use to you. Please send it to Media Indonesia. You may keep the money in the bag.

ENDANG PUSPITA

Bogor, West Java