Police in Bali are now putting in an extra effort to target uncertified security guards at clubs and cafes.
“Bali Police is serious about combatting thuggery,” police spokesman Superintendent Hengky Widjaja said, as quoted by Tribun Bali.
Officers swept cafes in Denpasar over the weekend, looking for freelance guards who are not officially certified, which is prohibited and something that leads to ‘thuggery,’ said Widjaja. A common practice in Bali is contracting security from mass organizations (aka gangs).
Two people were arrested after raids were conducted at a number of nightlife spots in Denpasar on Saturday night to Sunday morning, starting from 11pm, the spokesman told reporters.
Specific spots in West Denpasar targeted were Asri Cafe, Chaca Cafe, and Wisata Cafe. The guard arrested in West Denpasar, IG, 34, was armed with a knife and was associated with a mass organization that went unidentified in reports.
Police then moved on to South Denpasar and arrested D, 35, in Suwung at Pandawa Cafe. The second guard was also armed with a sharp weapon, police said.
“Security guards must be official, trained and certified, since they are expected to carry out policing duties physically and officially in their respective environments,” Widjaja said.
