From stolen cell phones and handbags and necklaces to villa robberies and getting kicked off from the Gojek. An increasing number of street crimes in Umalas (known as a ‘swanky’ area on the island) has prompted a number of residents to take a stand and start their own neighborhood watch.
Some 10 people (all of them expats) gathered at a pizzeria in Umalas yesterday to start Umalas Security Watch, a new initiative from local expats concerned with their safety over reported rising crime in the neighborhood.
“We have been absolutely flooded with reports of attacks, it’s overwhelming. And they range from just phone stealing to victims being pushed and kicked off bikes,” Lisa, an organizer of the neighborhood watch, told Coconuts.
Lisa prefers to use her nickname in order to keep the spirit of the community alive as Umalas Security Watch is a joint effort. While only expats showed up to their first meeting yesterday, Lisa said that the initiative combines support from expats and locals alike.
“We do have locals who have offered to help,” she added.
“Our plans right now include coming up with security guards or patrols consisting of local people to keep night watches. Obviously, we want to connect with the local banjars [community groups] for this,” said Lisa, adding that they also want to fix street lighting in the area.
“The dark streets were an issue that we heard from many residents.”
An American who has been living in Umalas for five years, Lisa is no stranger to criminals attacking expats. She herself saw her own motorbike stolen in front of her villa a couple of months ago, as well as having her handbag stolen.
While acknowledging that they are still working on their plans, Lisa said that the community “has to start somewhere.”
“We had said that we needed to do it before people get hurt, but we are finding that a few already have been hurt and hospitalized,” she said.
Since starting their Instagram account @umalassecuritywatch, Lisa said that they had been receiving reports from residents in Umalas and Batubelig (a street that connects Umalas and Kerobokan) that involve assault, battery, and robbery.
Several of the stories, as received by Coconuts, have similar suspects: two men riding a black motorcycle (usually a Yamaha NMax, a 155-cc automatic motorbike popular on the island) without masks and helmets.
The community has its own chat group where they can collect stories and discuss future meetings and plans ahead.
Coconuts has reached out to the Bali Police for a statement.
