Read our article on guards for more information on the roles of these security staff. Statistics tell the story Despite the fact that the statistic-gathering abilities of the national police in regards to crime reporting are inconsequential at best, expats agree that the crime rates in Jakarta have been substantially lower than any major western city. Since the recent economic crisis we have certainly seen an upswing in crime as more and more of the unemployed are turning to theft to feed their families. The larger part is probably not the hungry, but the criminal element and former military members that are having a heyday with the breakdown in the perceived authority of the law and order authorities. Outside of the crimes associated with the May 1998 riots, the growing rise in crime is mostly petty theft.
Thieves climb over the walls to steal small items, electronics, cash or jewelry.
Instances of motorcycle crime are heard of now and then. The most common MO is when a man and his accomplice on a motorcycle snatch at a female pedestrian s purse. Another common MO is to grab and then cut the strap of a woman s purse with a knife or sickle and run off on a motorcycle. To prevent these instances from occurring, wear a long-strapped purse across your chest in public or keep your valuables in a belly bag. People at your gate Make your security policies very clear to your household staff.