Police to set up checkpoints on New Year’s Eve

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 12/29/2009 9:41 PM

More than 4,500 traffic police officers will man checkpoints throughout Jakarta on New Year’s Eve to ensure the predicted citywide celebrations do not get out of control, officials said Thursday.

Jakarta traffic police chief Sr. Comr. Condro Kirono said officers would be concentrated along the city’s main thoroughfares, including Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Thamrin, and Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat.

He added there would be at five checkpoints in the vicinity of these streets.

“Officers at these checkpoints are under orders to seize all dangerous materials from passers-by, including weapons and fireworks,” Condro said.

“We’ll also arrest anyone carrying passengers in the back of pickup trucks.”

Checkpoints will be in Grogol in West Jakarta, Cawang in East Jakarta, Semanggi and the parliament building in Central Jakarta, and Kuningan in South Jakarta.

He added public places such as Ancol in North Jakarta, Taman Mini in East Jakarta and the National Monument were expected to be packed with visitors on the night, and advised motorists to avoid driving anywhere near these areas because of the expected gridlock. (mrs)