Tire trap terror has pushed Jakarta residents to take action as dangerous metal fragments continue to litter the city’s busy roads. Locals in Indonesia’s capital city say vandals are deliberately scattering nails, bolts, and umbrella parts to cause vehicle damage—and possibly target unsuspecting drivers for criminal purposes.
In response, a growing group of volunteers known as Sapu Bersih (Clean Sweep) has mobilized to clean up these hazardous traps. The grassroots movement began with just a few concerned citizens but has evolved into a city-wide effort.
Siswanto, a longtime Jakarta resident, said he joined the cleanup five years ago after suffering repeated tire damage. “From 2010 to 2016, we collected four tons of nail traps from Jakarta and other areas, like Bekasi,” he told the Associated Press. “We collected them from the volunteers.”
Volunteers dedicate their early mornings or evenings to patrolling streets and removing sharp metal objects—many of which appear to be strategically placed. The group believes these traps not only endanger lives but also expose drivers to further crimes like roadside scams or theft.
Jakarta’s silent crisis has received little government action, forcing private citizens to defend their streets alone.
