A recent post on social media (Facebook) has gone viral and raised alarm for residents in the city.
A city resident posted her ordeal on Facebook about an incident that had taken place at the Five-Mile roundabout.
Opportunists attempted to crack her window whilst she was making her way around the roundabout at Jack Pidik Park.
Along with hash tags: #AvoidJackPidikPark5mileChristmaslights, #PleaseSharethispostandalertpeople and #AndStaySafe, the resident’s post went viral with more than a thousand people copying and pasting it on their Facebook pages and walls.
#REPOSTED from a friend's post…
Security Alert!
Avoid Jack Pidik Park! DO NOT take 5 mile road roundabout, (where the Christmas lights are displayed) after 6pm. Don’t even think of taking your family to see the Christmas lights as it’s not safe.
Few car jacks/hold ups were attempted tonight by opportunists and rascals. Sadly I was nearly one of their victims - not once, not twice but three times within 2 minutes.
As I drove towards the roundabout, I had to slow down due to traffic and crowds crossing the road. Five vehicles were in front of me just before the roundabout when 3 boys rushed towards my car on the right side and forcefully tried to open my car. I put my hand on the horn for 10 seconds and they ran off. Within 20 seconds, another 4 boys ran towards my car on the left side, this time with more force and pointing their knives at me and hitting my car window a few times, trying to smash it. Although I was scared, I remained calm and again hit the horn so hard to alert the other motorists and the crowd - hoping they would help me. I could not drive off as I was stuck in traffic and was on the inside lane. It was scary as people were too scared to even help me.
The rascals with knives ran off but another 2 with a gun came running onto the road pointing the gun at me.
This time, I didn't care who was in front of me, still with one hand on the horn, I did a quick sharp left turn and slammed on the accelerator and just flew my car between the vehicles in the two lanes and got onto the roundabout and got out.
I just can't believe it, within 2 mins, I nearly got held up 3 times. This is just crazy, scary and terrifying. I just thank God that my 5-year-old daughter wasn't with me in the car and that no harm came to me.
Five-Mile residents claim this is not the first time as such cases happen every year.
A resident says many of these people who frequent the park during the Christmas festivities are mainly opportunists.
“Police stationed at the park is still not enough to look out for incidents like carjacking and harassment, even pick-pocketing.
“This is most likely the first time we’ve seen a post gone viral with a city resident describing his ordeal on the social media platform.”
Meanwhile, NCDC has assured residents that there will be police presence during the celebrations.
(The Jack Pidik Park in Port Moresby)