Street Vendor Crackdown on Jalan Raya Bogor Marred by Vendor's Threats

East Jakarta (ANTARA) - A joint operation by authorities to crack down on street vendors (PKL) in the Jalan Raya Bogor area, Ciracas, East Jakarta, was marred by threats involving a sharp weapon from one of the vendors. The initial enforcement, which began around 14:35 WIB, was met with resistance from several vendors. Verbal confrontations erupted between the vendors and the joint team as they began dismantling and clearing stalls erected on the pavements and road shoulders. “That’s my cart; it’s not on the pavement—why are you taking it? Just take the fruit stalls outside. If you’re going to take from way over there (across Pasar Induk Kramat Jati), then come here,” said one fruit vendor on Jalan Raya Bogor, Ciracas, in an irritated tone. Panic peaked when the vendor suddenly lost her temper. Unwilling to accept her stall being cleared, she loudly protested while placing her approximately two-year-old son on top of an official vehicle. “Take my child too (placing her child on the officials’ vehicle) so you can all be satisfied—take all my goods as well,” the vendor said. The situation grew more tense as the vendor brandished a sharp weapon towards the officials while venting her emotions. “Watch out if you dare to take me on one-to-one; it has to be fair—if you’re taking everything, take it all,” the vendor said while pointing the sharp weapon at the officials. Fortunately, personnel from the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), TNI, and Police (Polri) at the scene quickly secured the situation. The vendor was calmed down, and the sharp weapon she carried was immediately confiscated to prevent a worse incident. Despite the disturbance, the joint team continued the crackdown. Illegal stalls were levelled, and the area, previously crowded with vendors, was gradually cleared to restore the road’s function. In response, the Head of East Jakarta Satpol PP, Muhammadong, acknowledged the resistance from vendors during the process, including the sharp weapon incident. However, he viewed it as triggered by momentary emotions. “If there’s resistance during enforcement, earlier you might have seen at the far end someone pulling out a sharp weapon. But I think that’s still reasonable—perhaps due to the residents’ momentary emotions,” Muhammadong said after the crackdown on Jalan Raya Bogor, East Jakarta, on Thursday. He emphasised that he had instructed all personnel not to be provoked. According to him, a persuasive approach remains prioritised even in heated situations. “I told the members not to let any personnel get provoked. Just let them vent their emotions. We’re also collaborating with TNI and Polri, and alhamdulillah, the situation could be contained,” he said. He also understands that this crackdown directly impacts the vendors’ livelihoods. However, he stressed that the arrangement is for the public interest, particularly to address congestion and restore public facilities’ functions. Once the situation returned to normal, the joint team continued cleaning the area and ensured Jalan Raya Bogor could be used properly again by road users and pedestrians. This crackdown involved a combined force from Satpol PP, TNI, Polri, and Public Facilities and Infrastructure Handling Officers (PPSU). They targeted a row of illegal stalls that had long stood along Jalan Raya Bogor and frequently caused traffic jams and disrupted pedestrians’ rights.