Biker clubs asked to help clean up nail traps

In an attempt to fight back against escalations in the spread of nail traps on the streets, the Jakarta Police met with representatives from dozens of motorcycle clubs across the capital on Thursday and asked for their help in handling the problem.

“There used to be only 32 nail trap-prone areas in Greater Jakarta. Lately, the number has increased and reached 47,” Jakarta Traffic Police safety and security chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yakub Dedy Karyawan said.

“As the criminals seem to be escalating their activities, we need help from everyone to eradicate them once and for all,” he said.

Jakarta Traffic Police law enforcement chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sudarmanto said that the motorbike club members would have to provide the nail-collecting magnets themselves, should they be interested in helping.

“They won’t need sophisticated equipment. A simple magnet will do. Their social awareness and perseverance will be much more important,” he said.

A representative from the Jakarta Honda Vario motorbike club, introducing herself as Evi, said that the group was delighted by the police’s proposal to join forces. “I think this is a tremendous offer and I can say that all of us are very enthusiastic about participating in the eradication of these nail traps,” she said.

Sudarmanto said that, of the 47 nail trap-prone areas, 37 were spread quite evenly across Jakarta’s five municipalities: There are eight areas each in Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, and North Jakarta, six in South Jakarta, and seven in East
Jakarta. Of the other 10 areas, Bekasi and Tangerang have two each, while Bekasi and Depok have three each.

Several major thoroughfares are included in these areas, including Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara in front of the State Palace, the Semanggi interchange, Jl. Gatot Subroto near the Kuningan intersection, Jl. S. Parman around the Slipi intersection, and Jl. T.B. Simatupang around the Lenteng Agung overpass.

According to Yakub, the perpetrators are also beginning to break their nail-spreading pattern. “The nails used to be spread only on the inside lane. Lately, however, we have also found them spread on the Transjakarta lanes and even around toll gate exits.”

Yakub said that motorists must be wary of stretches of road where flat-tire accidents often occurred and where there were dozens of tire repairmen on the roadside.

“These tire repairmen work mostly during peak hours. In the mornings, they open their workshops on the side of the roads heading toward Jakarta. In the evenings, they switch to the other side of the road to wait for commuters heading back home,” Yakub said.

He said that the police had equipped two cars with floor magnets to pick up nails in trap-prone areas. (mim)