Police arrest 17 teenagers in convoy carrying fireworks in Pesanggrahan
Jakarta — Police arrested 17 teenagers who were carrying fireworks and firecrackers on the evening of Sunday, 15 March, to enforce public order in the Pesanggrahan area, South Jakarta.
“In total, we have secured 17 teenagers involved in the incident,” stated Pesanggrahan Police District Commander (Kompol) Seala Syah Alam when confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He said the incident occurred on Sunday, 15 March, at approximately 22:00 WIB at the junction of Jalan Swadarma Raya and Jalan Ciledug Raya, Ulujami Village, Pesanggrahan, South Jakarta.
The case was uncovered following public complaints through Instagram regarding a group of teenagers conducting an unauthorised convoy.
The group of teenagers reportedly conducted the unauthorised convoy by firing flares or fireworks onto the street, thereby disrupting public order.
The teenagers who conducted the convoy, which blocked the road and set off firecrackers, came from three different groups.
According to Seala, they were from the West Jakarta area and planned to head to Tangerine.
He also confirmed that no perpetrators were from Pesanggrahan.
“So the teenagers intended to head towards Tangerine. These teenagers were from the West Jakarta area,” Seala said.
Police then took action using the Scientific Crime Investigation (SCI) method after the video went viral on social media.
Seala added that the motorcycles used by the teenagers were also penalised with traffic citations for non-compliance with regulations.
“The sanction we imposed was in the form of social work, namely cleaning the drainage channels around the police post, because we are mindful that this is the month of Ramadhan, and we have coordinated with the West Jakarta Education Sub-Department,” Seala said.
Regarding the motive, he stated that the teenagers carried out the action to seek recognition.
“As for the motive itself, what the teenagers did was seek validation because they are teenagers,” Seala said.
He also revealed indications of potential further action that could escalate to gang violence, prompting police to take preventive measures.
Seala said the convoy was potentially dangerous because the use of fireworks and firecrackers on public roads could trigger fires and electrical network disruptions.
During the arrest, he said, the police also brought in the parents of the teenagers. The parents claimed they did not know about their children’s activities when they left home at night.
“They were only given permission to go out at night, but we did not know they were doing this,” Seala said.
He urged the public not to engage in similar activities as they could endanger both themselves and others.