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Watch out for pickpockets on Car Free Day, police warn
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Hold your wallet: Jakarta residents participate in Car Free Day along Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin in this file photo. The Jakarta Police have warned that the event attracts pickpockets. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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ar Free Day, held every Sunday along Jl. MH. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta, is an event flocked to not only by residents looking to exercise and socialize, but also by pickpockets, police have revealed.
According to Jakarta Police general crimes head Sr. Comr. Nico Afinta, his team has arrested thieves, who mostly stole smartphones, in the Car Free Day area almost every weekend.
“In our latest operation against street crime, we arrested around six to eight smartphone pickpockets on Car Free Day. They targeted people who were engaged in physical activities,” said Nico.
“Public events on the weekend, such as Car Free Day, were supposed to be safe, but now there are many pickpockets. So we encourage people in Jakarta to be more alert, especially when they are in crowded places."
The police deploy personnel in the event's area every Sunday to ensure security for its participants.
They are also beefing up security in the capital ahead of the holiday season by conducting an anti-street crime operation that ends on Dec. 22.
The operation will then be followed by the more comprehensive Lilin Jaya Operation, to be held from Dec. 23 to Jan 1, which is aimed at securing the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. (roi)
