Bali Police upgrade traffic and crime monitoring
Ni Komang Erviani, The Jakarta Post, The Jakarta Post/Denpasar | Mon, 03/14/2011 11:31 AM
Bali Police said they would “optimize” traffic and crime monitoring activities in significant areas through its regional traffic management system at its Bali headquarters in downtown Denpasar.
Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Hadiatmoko said 56 CCTV cameras were installed in traffic and crime prone areas to enable police to closely monitor possible incidents.
“Each CCTV camera can cover the area to a distance of 75 meters with a 180 degree panorama to zoom in on any possible accidents in the area,” he said.
The CCTV cameras were installed in strategic tourist sites such as Nusa Dua, Kuta and Denpasar. They were also placed at Ngurah Rai International Airport, Gilimanuk ferry port in Jembrana and Padang Bai ferry port in Karangasem.
“The CCTV cameras can also monitor terrorist suspects and enable police to immediately take action to prevent them from entering the island,” Hadiatmoko said.
The Bali Police plans to install more CCTV cameras in Ubud and other areas in Bali when more money became available.
The regional traffic management center (RTMC) began operating around the clock last week to improve security measures on the island.
Bali’s RTMC is linked to seven other centers in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Palembang and others.
The RTMC was funded by the National Planning and Development Board (Bappenas).
Achamd Syauqie, the director of the Bali Police traffic division, said the RTMC would control and monitor traffic in Denpasar, especially in strategic spots.
“The vision is to establish a well-ordered city such as Singapore,” he said.
The RTMC also has a Facebook and Twitter account to provide traffic and security information to island residents.
In addition to the RTMC, the Bali Police will also develop a traffic accident center (TAC) in several accident-prone sites across Bali, including in Tabanan, Jembrana, Gianyar and Denpasar.
“The TAC will also operate 24 hours a day and will be equipped with medical staff, healthcare services, an emergency room, an ambulance and high-tech communication tools,” Syauqie said.
The number of traffic accidents in Bali has increased sharply. In 2010, 541 people died in traffic accidents. Half of those killed were between the productive ages of 16 and 30.
