As Bali braces for a significant rise in tourists during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, police are ramping up efforts to ensure safety and comfort. Additional police patrols will be deployed at the island’s most popular resorts.
In anticipation of potential incidents at popular tourist hotspots, Bali police will conduct nightly patrols in the busiest areas of Badung Regency, including Canggu and Seminyak. Officers will be stationed at strategic locations to respond quickly to any situations that may arise.
Badung Police Chief Teguh Priyo Wasono stated, “We want to ensure that people enjoying Bali’s nightlife can do so safely and comfortably. That’s why we are deploying personnel to vulnerable areas and increasing control in high-risk zones.” He added, “This increased patrolling is a preventive measure to make the community feel secure. We also encourage locals to report any suspicious activity.”
The strategy includes regular foot and vehicle patrols, surveillance through CCTV in key areas, and collaboration with pecalang (local village security) and nightlife venue managers.
Recent years have seen an increase in viral videos showing drunken fights and altercations at entertainment venues in Bali’s top resorts. Tourists are urged to drink responsibly and report any suspicious or uncomfortable situations to police or security staff as soon as possible.
The measures are part of Operation Lilin Agung 2024, which will run from December 21 to January 2, 2025, covering all of Bali. The operation aims to enhance security at ports, airports, resorts, and roadways across the island.
During a safety briefing, Denpasar Police Chief Commissioner I Ketut Toniasa outlined potential vulnerabilities and negative scenarios for the island, including a rise in crime from 2023 to 2024, road safety concerns, and risks in Bali’s crime hotspots.
Terrorism also remains a concern for national police during the Christmas season in 2024. While no specific threats have been identified, police and military forces are implementing strict security measures at all religious worship sites.
Toniasa highlighted several key areas of concern, including churches such as Maranatha, Santo Yoseph, Christ Kasih, and the Cathedral, as well as tourist hubs like Kuta Beach Street, Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park, and the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Specialized posts will be set up in eight popular locations across Bali, with additional security measures in areas with high tourist concentrations.
More than 1.3 million visitors are expected to arrive during the holiday period. Nearly 300 police officers will ensure safety, maintain traffic flow, and uphold public order with round-the-clock patrols across the island.
Sources: detik.com
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