Job Discussion Forums

[mitsui]

How do people stay safe in Jakarta?
Has anyone been a victim of any crime?
What precautions do people take?

I teach a Japanese student and he will study abroad in Jakarta starting this year. I want him to have a good experience.

[rayman]

Violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare. You really need to instigate something yourself to get into that sort of trouble.

Theft is really the biggest risk. Apartments are safer than houses, regarding burglary. As you would expect, most pickpocketing takes place in crowded places. Your friend will most likely favour taxis over public buses and other cheaper public transport options, so that is less of a concern. Certain bars and clubs are probably the riskiest place he/she will be regarding pickpocketing. Deep pockets and a hand in there to protect your 'valuables' when walking through a crowd is the second best defense. Leaving unnecessary valuables at home being preferable.

Personally, in 8 years I've been a victim of pickpocketing twice (both in nightclubs) and house burglary once. The pickpocketing incidents could have been prevented if I took my advice above. The house burglary would have been difficult/impossible to completely prevent. Living in a housing complex isn't exactly a safe haven either. More often than not, the burglary is conducted or organized by people who live/work nearby (security guards, repairman etc.). Being in an apartment is much more secure, with only one point of entry/exit.

[Durian Tango]

I agree with Rayman wholeheartedly.

I have found Jakarta far safer than any other city I've lived in, including back home. Jakarta is dangerous for those that make it dangerous i.e. taking an unmarked taxi at 3am while drunk and asking to be taken via an ATM first (a friend of mine did this). Or hanging out in the sleazier parts of the city could invite trouble.

But for most who just go about everyday life as normal, than this city is perfectly safe. In all my years here I've never had one incident. One should take the usual big city precautions of keeping an eye on your bag and wallet at all times, only taking licensed taxis, not drinking to excess, not doing drugs, keeping an eye on wierd guys hanging around on overpasses, going out with a friend at night, learning some Indonesian so you can converse with people and understand what people are saying around you and of course, learn how to apply the Vulcan death pinch in case of trouble.

I find many people come and are FAR to paranoid though about their perception of danger. Don't be paralyzed by fear, just be smart.

Word.

[Atoms for Peace]

[Madame J]

What's wrong with asking to be taken via an ATM? Sometimes it's necessary!

Yeah, Jakarta is fine as long as one simply applies common sense. If your student is at all likely to ride on the back of friends' motorbikes or in becaks it might be worth warning him about snatch thieves and subsequently keeping bags close/making sure you've got nothing sticking out of pockets.