Security For Tourists Increased In Bali’s Ubud

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Security officers in Bali’s Ubud have been increasing patrols of the area to help reduce the risk of ‘incidents of thuggery’ against tourists.

Ubud is Bali’s arts and culture capital and has seen a sharp rise in the number of tourists in the last few weeks.

Following a sudden increase in the number of tourists in central Ubud, Bali Police have been intensifying patrols of the area. These have included blue light patrols and dialogue patrols aimed at engaging with both domestic and international tourists. 

On Thursday, 11th April, one patrol unit led by the Head of the Ubud Police Samapta Unit, Iptu Gede Sudwieka, visited the Sacred Monkey Forest Ubud.

Inspector Sudwieka told reporters that these increased patrols are being carried out in order to prevent disturbances of order, both in acts of thuggery and other criminal acts. 

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He told reporters, “Today’s patrols are prioritized in tourist destination areas. [Thankfully] there were no finds or reports of people suspected of being thugs hanging around the location.”

Speaking separately, the Ubud Police Cheif, Police Commissioner I Made Uder, said that the dialogue patrols target economic centers, especially tourism attractions, and are part of the National Police’s mission to support national economic recovery in the post-pandemic era by providing a sense of comfort and security to the community and tourists. 

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It is not uncommon for Bali Police to conduct dialogue patrols. Tourists need not feel immediately suspicious if a police officer approaches them for a chat.

In most cases, Bali Police officers and the newly introduced Bali Tourism Police Officers have been missioned to simply have a chat with tourists to ensure that they feel safe and comfortable.

In some mistakes, tourists may be asked to produce their tourism tax payment voucher, in light of the fact that 60% of tourists have yet to pay the mandatory fees. 

Ubud is typically considered one of the safer areas of Bai for tourists, with comparatively low incidences of crime.

Most incidences of drive-by robberies, scams, and taxi fraud against tourists are most often reported along the southern coast, especially in Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, and Canggu. 

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Following a drive-by robbery in Uluwatu last month, police officers on the Bukit Peninsula have also increased patrol efforts to help make tourists feel safe and deter criminals from operating in the area.

It should be noted that these kinds of crimes are few and far between, but nevertheless, security officials in Bali are quick to increase patrol efforts as and when incidences of crime in tourist resorts start to rear their ugly heads again. 

Tourists in Ubud this weekend are reminded that the royal cremation ceremony will be taking place on Sunday 14th, Apri.

Security officials, local police, and community leaders will all be out and securing road closures, diverting traffic, and ensuring that everything runs soothingly for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Tourists in Ubud this weekend should not be alarmed to see more police and security teams out on the street.

The royal cremation, known as a pelebon, will be the largest of its kind Ubud has seen in decades. The ceremony will mark the cremation of the late Tjokorda Bagus Santaka from Puri Saren Kauh and his aunt.

The ceremony will be held at Puri Agung Ubud; however, the whole of Jalan Raya Ubud will be affected.

Road closures will be in place from the early hours of Sunday morning through to the late afternoon and into the evening. 

The ceremony will mark on of the most important cultural moments in recent history in Ubud and tourists are encouraged to come out an watch the proceedings.

However, tourists must be mindful that parking in central Ubud will not be possible, and available parking areas may be a reasonable walk away from Jalan Raya Ubud, where the parade will take place.