http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/07/27/citizen-journalism-beating-pickpocket-game.html
A pickpocket? Well, who hasn’t met one on a very typical day in the streets of Jakarta, in particular, in public transport? Living in this metropolitan for more than a decade now, I find the city very "dangerous" in terms of petty theft. Purse-snatching and pick pocketing are rampant in public spaces. Beware and stay alert!
Using public transportation is simply emotionally draining and physically exhausting in this big city if you know what I mean. It’s fiercer than any reality show challenges on TV. It's as harder as crossing a bridge of fire, lol.
I believe commuters share the same experience with me related to pickpockets, a very typical day on the streets of Jakarta. Relief to be free from the overcrowded commuter train this morning, I had to dash out to catch metromini (public bus). For Jakartans, Metromini is inseparable with the hustle bustle of the hectic city. Renowned for their distinctive orange color, scraps of metal hanging from them and cracked passenger windows, these public buses are cheap and incredibly fast on any given day, well, except off course when they are not trapped in the worst traffic congestion. They are also notorious to pick passengers up all along their route and drop them off anywhere, usually without stopping.
So passengers jump on and off the Metro mini, often in the middle of the busy road. Oh yeah, it’s really dangerous, isn’t it? Jumping off from a moving bus? Well… what can I say, that’s what I experience daily. Life is tough! Being accidentally kicked, elbowed, or trampled is nothing new to me. As much as I am horrified to kick, elbow, or trample others by accident, there’s nothing I could do whenever I take these public transport.
It’s like survival of the fittest. Face it and just deal with it.
As if it’s not enough racing my life with these irresponsible buses, I also have to stay vigilant at all time. Pickpockets are in every nook and corner. I was alerted when a lanky man with a tidy outfit orchestrated an odd movement when a lady tried to get off at Bundaran HI bus stop. Another man stood right in the door, blocking her way. Instantly, my radar picked up the blaring alarm. There were four of them. Beneath their neat dress, I could not help noticing malice. A team of pickpockets!
Getting her way out, the lady screamed and yelled “Copet!” (pickpocket) over and over again until the bus drove away. Those men sternly ordered the driver to keep on driving. They moved to the backseats. I clutched my bag tighter. My heart hammered in my chest. I noticed there were only four female passengers left and one man. We instinctively moved forward, and huddled close. It’s safer to be together than alone.
We stared at each other wide eyed, alerting one another of the danger. Luckily, the odd was still in our favor. These thugs got off the bus when it reached Sarinah bus stop. We all exhaled in relief. It’s the longest five minutes ride ever! We survived another commute.
Learning from experience, here are some tips that might help you avoid pickpockets from ruining your day.
First, carry your bag across you chest or under your arm and slightly in front of you. It is absolutely non negotiable to keep your purse and its openings under your elbow, and not at the back. Avoid zipper in the back because it will make someone behind you easier to unzip it and make off with its contents. You don't have eyes in the back of our heads, ladies, so keep your purse where you can see it.
Second, never rummage your wallet or count money in public. It’s like flaunting your cash for the whole world to see. It’s like sweet nectar for pickpockets. Thus, it’s wiser to prepare your small change in advance before getting on any public vehicle. The policy applies to using your fancy gadget in public, be it smart phones or any other devices.
Third, always stay alert and focus. Some pickpockets work in teams by premeditating ways in which to distract you. For example, one guy would tap at your back, pretending brushing off the ash emanating from his cigarette, while another reaches into your back pocket for your wallet and hands it to the third guy.
Fourth, only carry what you need, bringing only the essentials. Don’t have anything more in your wallet than you are willing to lose. Don’t wear any fancy jewelry or items that might easily lure unwanted attention. Last but not the least, scan your surrounding carefully. Men with tidy outfit with perhaps a tinge of cologne or so, as if ready ready for work, are not always what they appear to be. If you pay close attention, often you can see something out of place about them, then your radar will scream for an alert!A gang of pickpockets!
Beware .... And may the odds be ever in your favor.
A pickpocket? Well, who hasn’t met one on a very typical day in the streets of Jakarta, in particular, in public transport? Living in this metropolitan for more than a decade now, I find the city very "dangerous" in terms of petty theft. Purse-snatching and pick pocketing are rampant in public spaces. Beware and stay alert!
Using public transportation is simply emotionally draining and physically exhausting in this big city if you know what I mean. It’s fiercer than any reality show challenges on TV. It's as harder as crossing a bridge of fire, lol.
I believe commuters share the same experience with me related to pickpockets, a very typical day on the streets of Jakarta. Relief to be free from the overcrowded commuter train this morning, I had to dash out to catch metromini (public bus). For Jakartans, Metromini is inseparable with the hustle bustle of the hectic city. Renowned for their distinctive orange color, scraps of metal hanging from them and cracked passenger windows, these public buses are cheap and incredibly fast on any given day, well, except off course when they are not trapped in the worst traffic congestion. They are also notorious to pick passengers up all along their route and drop them off anywhere, usually without stopping.
So passengers jump on and off the Metro mini, often in the middle of the busy road. Oh yeah, it’s really dangerous, isn’t it? Jumping off from a moving bus? Well… what can I say, that’s what I experience daily. Life is tough! Being accidentally kicked, elbowed, or trampled is nothing new to me. As much as I am horrified to kick, elbow, or trample others by accident, there’s nothing I could do whenever I take these public transport.
It’s like survival of the fittest. Face it and just deal with it.
As if it’s not enough racing my life with these irresponsible buses, I also have to stay vigilant at all time. Pickpockets are in every nook and corner. I was alerted when a lanky man with a tidy outfit orchestrated an odd movement when a lady tried to get off at Bundaran HI bus stop. Another man stood right in the door, blocking her way. Instantly, my radar picked up the blaring alarm. There were four of them. Beneath their neat dress, I could not help noticing malice. A team of pickpockets!
Getting her way out, the lady screamed and yelled “Copet!” (pickpocket) over and over again until the bus drove away. Those men sternly ordered the driver to keep on driving. They moved to the backseats. I clutched my bag tighter. My heart hammered in my chest. I noticed there were only four female passengers left and one man. We instinctively moved forward, and huddled close. It’s safer to be together than alone.
We stared at each other wide eyed, alerting one another of the danger. Luckily, the odd was still in our favor. These thugs got off the bus when it reached Sarinah bus stop. We all exhaled in relief. It’s the longest five minutes ride ever! We survived another commute.
Learning from experience, here are some tips that might help you avoid pickpockets from ruining your day.
First, carry your bag across you chest or under your arm and slightly in front of you. It is absolutely non negotiable to keep your purse and its openings under your elbow, and not at the back. Avoid zipper in the back because it will make someone behind you easier to unzip it and make off with its contents. You don't have eyes in the back of our heads, ladies, so keep your purse where you can see it.
Second, never rummage your wallet or count money in public. It’s like flaunting your cash for the whole world to see. It’s like sweet nectar for pickpockets. Thus, it’s wiser to prepare your small change in advance before getting on any public vehicle. The policy applies to using your fancy gadget in public, be it smart phones or any other devices.
Third, always stay alert and focus. Some pickpockets work in teams by premeditating ways in which to distract you. For example, one guy would tap at your back, pretending brushing off the ash emanating from his cigarette, while another reaches into your back pocket for your wallet and hands it to the third guy.
Fourth, only carry what you need, bringing only the essentials. Don’t have anything more in your wallet than you are willing to lose. Don’t wear any fancy jewelry or items that might easily lure unwanted attention. Last but not the least, scan your surrounding carefully. Men with tidy outfit with perhaps a tinge of cologne or so, as if ready ready for work, are not always what they appear to be. If you pay close attention, often you can see something out of place about them, then your radar will scream for an alert!A gang of pickpockets!
Beware .... And may the odds be ever in your favor.
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