Bali Police makes special team to fight increased street crime on island

Bali Police has formed a special team to handle the growing amount of street crime cases on the island.

“We will focus on Bali’s street crime problem in this second half of the year,” Bali Police Chief Insp. Gen. Petrus Golose announced in Denpasar on Monday.

The street crime unit’s formation is the police’s response to the murder of a Flores military cadet who was ambushed by an alleged motorcycle gang in Jimbaran on Sunday, said Golose.

The special team, with officers taken from Bali’s patrol and public order unit, Sabhara, will not be carrying firearms, but will be outfitted with stun guns, the police chief added.

Golose also explained that he specifically chose officers for the street crime team who are at least 170 centimeters (5’5”) and slim.

The team will be charged with crimes that are becoming increasingly commonplace on Bali’s streets, like muggings and fights between groups or motorcycle gangs.

“The officers are in training and will be deployed in the near future.” 

Once finished with training, the officers will be deployed at especially vulnerable crime spots, like terminals, tourists areas, and other crowded spots.