Bob Woodruff’s First-Hand Account of Security at Bombed Jakarta Hotel

ABC's Bob Woodruff and Christine Romo report: Two weeks ago we were in Indonesia shooting a story on deforestation.  While we were passing through Jakarta on our way to Sumatra, we stayed one night at that JW Marriott — the same hotel that was attacked today.   Back then one of the first things we thought was surprising was how careful they appeared to be about security.  It’s in a great location right off of a major roundabout in the center of the city.  Before entering the hotel there are concrete barriers blocking the side of the road.  Then right before you turn into the hotel all vehicles pass over a grate – a security camera is located underneath and security guards check vehicles for explosives. In fact on the wall right in front has a screen where you can see what the bottom of your car looks like.    Then the security guards opened the trunk of our vehicle but did not check our luggage. After we were dropped off at the main entrance, we had to pass through a metal detector to enter the hotel. We went in and out of that metal detector with backpacks on and they would beep every time, but the guards never asked to check the content of our bags. The lobby and all of the floors have several security cameras and in each room there is a letter from the hotel. The letter read something like this (although we don’t still have a copy) “due to the attacks in 2003 we have put in place several security measures to protect our guests. Please excuse the inconvenience but we hope you will understand this is for security.”