Taking Back Bali's Streets

Tired of Violence and Crime, Kuta Traditional Community Member form Citizen Watch Patrols and Call on Kuta Nightspots to Close at 2:00 a.m.

In the face of escalating crime and violent attacks on both locals and island visitors in the nightlife and entertainment area of Kuta, local citizen groups in Bali,  gathered from surrounding banjars in Kuta, have begun patrolling the area, effective January 16, 2012.

The citizen patrols were announced by the traditional community chief of Kuta (Bendesa), Anak Agung Keut Sudira, who said: “This should not be seen as a step taken by the village chief (lurah), the local self help organizations (LPM), or myself as a community leader. This is an activity based on a community consensus (musyawarah) among the people of Kuta.”

The patrols will include elements from the police working in concert with men representing 13 banjars in Kuta.

Sudira explained that the community watch volunteers will use youth patrols from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and other, older members of the banjars for the second shift from 6:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m..

As reported by NusaBali, the basis of the patrols is a joint declaration signed by the various banjars of Kuta on December 30, 2011.

The group is also actively urging nightspots in Kuta to cease operations at 2:00 a.m. ending the practice of some bars and nightspots operating until sunrise. Warned Sudira: “At this time, we are only suggesting. However, if later the companies decide to ignore our suggestion, then we close them down.”

Source: BaliDiscovery.com