Bali Police to certify security of island's villas

Mon, 11/30/2009 2:19 PM  |  Bali

Bali Police plan to certify the security of villas in response to the mushrooming construction of resort villas across Bali.

Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Sutisna asserted the police couldn't properly monitor security issues in many villas because a large number of them were unregistered.

To make it worse, many villas do not have standard security systems, including employing security guards, CCTV and other security equipment to guarantee guest safety.

"We have applied security certification standards in star hotels. We expect to do it with villas in 2010," Sutisna said.

In the last few months, crime rates in Bali, especially in famous tourist destinations such as Kuta, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua, have significantly increased.

Cases of theft, murder and rape have occurred in these areas.

Sutisna complained that numerous villas were not equipped with building and operation permits.

"This makes it more difficult to control security in these villas," he added.

The constructions of private and commercial villas in Bali, particularly in Badung regency and Denpasar mayoralty have caused concern among hotel operators, the police and regional governments.

Many private villas are now operated as commercial accommodation for local and foreign tourists. They operate their business without necessary permits.

In Badung regency, covering the areas from Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak to Jimbaran and Nusa Dua, there are 750 villas of which 250 do not have permits.

Bali Police office, he said, received many reports of crime occurring in such villas.

Last weekend, a British woman lost her purse containing cash valued at dozens of million of rupiah, credit cards and other valuable items, while she was staying at a villa in the Canggu area.

"The suspects entered the villa and took the woman's belongings without any notice from the operator because of poor security," said a policeman from Kuta Police precinct.

Many cases of crime have also occurred in villas across Bali due to a lack of security awareness among villa owners and operators.

"Poor security systems will damage a villa's image. No one would like to be robbed while he or she is holidaying in Bali," Sutisna added.

Gusti Kade Sutawa, head of the Kuta Executive Club, responded positively to the Bali Police plan saying it would increase people's confidence in Bali.

"Bali is a world-class tourist destination. Security is a prime issue.

"Everybody has to work together to create a safe Bali for its residents and guests," Sutawa said.

He admitted that many villas and even hotels still paid little attention to security issues.

-JP/Ni Komang Erviani

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