Ni Komang Erviani, The Jakarta Post, The Jakarta Post | Mon, 11/09/2009 2:47 PM
Bali Police deployed a huge contingent of officers, including ones from the paramilitary Mobile Brigade, to secure tourist sites across the island in a special operation targeting street criminals.
Code-named Operasi Wisata Agung 2009, the operation was launched Saturday and will run until Nov. 16.
"The main objective of the operation is to prevent crimes that target domestic and international visitors. Hopefully, this operation will be able to make the tourists feel safer during their stay on the island," Bali Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Gde Sugianyar said Saturday.
As many as 898 officers have been deployed to major tourist destinations, including Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Lovina, Tanah Lot, Rambut Siwi, Ubud, Kintamani, Candi Dasa, Goa Lawah and Taman Ayun.
"They will beef up security at the local hotels, restaurants, cafes, night spots and money changers."
The officers would also pay special attention to security threats, such as street musicians, beggars, hawkers and thugs.
The operation was launched following a series of high-profile crimes that targeted foreign visitors. In late September, a Japanese woman was mugged and murdered in Kuta while in late October a Swedish girl was raped in South Kuta.
"We want to prevent similar incidents from taking place in the future," Sugianyar said.
He also said that an undisclosed number of Mobile Brigade officers had been deployed to strategic spots across the island.
"We deployed the officers to provide the public with a calming sense of security amidst the recent increase of crime rate."
In October, the Bali Police had carried out a special operation targeting burglars and thieves.
"It has succeeded in bringing down the number of burglary cases," he said.
On December the police will hold another special operation to secure the island during its busiest tourist period; the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
