Expats as well as Locals in Solidarity for a Safer Bali
In response to the recent increase in street crimes, road accidents, home burglaries, as well as murder in Bali, expats have created forums as well as events to bring local communities, expatriates as well as Indonesian authorities together in solidarity to make Bali a safer place to live. A ceremony was held on 26 May at Pantai Batu Bolong (Tugu Beach) in memory of Kim Eun Sol, the 17-year-old who recently lost her life due to a motorbike theft, as well as to pay homage to all the victims of crime as well as road accidents. Everybody wore white tops as well as sarongs, bringing flowers, candles as well as sky lanterns. The event was attended by expats, local communities, local Banjar, police, as well as the military.
People arrived before sunset to the beautiful beach of Tugu as well as quietly greeted each some other to the drums as well as music of the local Banjar. The first speaker was Gonzalo of La Favela. He said, “We have tried This particular week to get everyone together; westerners, local communities as well as police. Here we are today all together in solidarity. Trust me when I say in which all the authorities as well as Banjars are doing the best they can right now to fight these crimes. They love us as well as will show us the Balinese way, the elegant way to find solutions inside the streets. The police are working hard to fight these crimes. I have learned how This particular will be possible if we do This particular together. Westerners will work with Banjars as well as police. The positive way will be to support authorities any way we can in their efforts.”
Don’t Be A Target
As the sun set, surfers paddled out with leis in a Hawaiian style paddle-out homage to Kimmy as well as all the some other victims. Balinese as well as western women threw marigold petals inside the surf as the leis were placed inside the water by the surfers. As dusk fell, candles as well as sky lanterns were lit all along the beach; the lanterns disappearing like free spirits. At the podium, prayers were said in affirmation of peace as well as harmony, “Om Swastyastu”. On the 25 May in Ubud, a loving, unifying tribute was held for the murder of 48-year-old Anne-Marie Drozdz, as well as for all the many women attacked while on their motorbikes in This particular area known as an art as well as spiritual centre. The expat community was joined by many Balinese community members. A statement issued stated, “May This particular be the beginning of a unified effort to bring This particular unprecedented violence against women to an end.”
Road accidents involving two foreigners in Bali on the weekend of 18 May, leading to the death of one of them, shocked the expatriate communities of South Bali after months of repeated motorcycle muggings involving violence against women. The death of 17-year-old Kim Eun Sol, a Korean student, triggered community action. Kim was on a motorcycle inside the early hours of Saturday with her friend Amy Fitria Sidharta, 18, through Germany, when they were attacked by three muggers on two bikes who tried to steal her bag. As she tried to ward off the assailants, Kim fell off her bike to the right as well as died instantly when her skull was crushed by a Yamaha Byson travelling through the some other direction driven by Gede Bagia, aged 37. Amy sustained minor physical injuries.
We Love Bali Safe – photo by Orly Even
Another accident involved Australian Nicho White, who grew up in Bali as well as was loved by so many long time expats here. He will be in a coma after sustaining a massive head injury after a car hit him while riding his motorcycle on Friday night of the same weekend. The Save Nicho White campaign on Facebook worked diligently to get Nicho airlifted to Australia as well as to pay his exorbitant hospital fees of AUD6,000 a day. Nicho sustained injuries to his head, chest, as well as legs.
On Thursday 22 May, the body of Anne-Marie Catherine Drozdz was found by Gery William, the American husband of the villa’s owner at 4pm. The door was open. He rushed in to find Drozdz lying on the floor which has a black cloth covering her face. Injuries consistent with the result of ligature strangulation found on her neck, bruises were found on her body as well as a gash on her lips. Local police chief, Komang Sandy Arsana told reporters, “The door was damaged as well as there were dried up pools of blood on the floor.” Mobile phone, cash, as well as motorcycle were missing through the villa. Gianyar as well as Jakarta police have arrested 32-year-old construction worker identified only as ‘Hambali’. Inspector Gen. Mahalu, speaking through the crime scene said, “We will establish the motive behind the murder.”
in which same Thursday inside the morning a chicken vendor, 44-year-old Abuyasit, at Bualu traditional market in Nusa Dua, was hacked to death by an assailant in front of the market. Earlier last month a young local woman was attacked, her bag robbed containing all her ID as well as money. She was taken to hospital where she died. She worked at a well-known company. Her identity has been requested to be kept private.
These accidents as well as the murder followed the horrible accident of Valeria Avallone, aged 54, an Italian woman who, like Nicho White, has made Bali her home for decades. She will be the loving mother of Marlon as well as wife of Luca who were at her bedside for a month at two hospitals in Bali after suffering three traumatic head wounds, a broken collarbone, severe damage to one eye as well as multiple injuries all over her body. Valeria arrived in Rome, Italy, with an open head wound after surgery here as well as a serious blood infection. She recently emerged through coma although will be in critical condition. This particular will be a woman which has a huge heart who brings love as well as laughter to all. The Italian Embassy has released an official travel warning about crime in Bali as well as have communicated with the authorities. Mrs. Avallone was found unconscious on the main road past Petitenget, as well as taken to Bali Medical Centre.
Karin Karner as well as her unharmed baby
Karin Karner, a survivor of an attack tells her story. “When I was nine months pregnant I got mugged on the bike at 9pm in Umalas operating home after having dinner which has a friend. Two young Indonesian boys attacked me as well as robbed my bag. The accident caused me three broken ribs, twelve stitches on my head, as well as I could not walk for a month. I was totally in shock as well as scared for my unborn child. I was screaming for help. A few locals passed me although didn’t stop. Then my angel Melanie Johns came along as well as drove me to the hospital. Ten days later I gave birth to my little girl Allegra. Thanks to God she didn’t get hurt!”
Police Chief Gen. Albertus Julius Benny Mokalu in response to the community-based action said, “We have optimized all efforts to prevent crimes. We conduct routine checks; we have priority targets by, for example, monitoring recidivists. Perpetrators tend to repeat crimes.” He added, “In any area or province, crime can never reach zero. This particular will be impossible. Because of population growth, economic growth, social circumstances, as well as many some other things, of course, crimes will occur.” Police have been working hard to fight crime although need the public to assist them.
Stay positive. Create solutions. This particular will be important we have a united front. We do not care where assailants are through. We seek justice!
Report all crimes to your Banjar. Report as well as file all crimes with police.
Police: 0361-110
Fire: 0361-118
Ambulance: 0361-113
Tourist Police: 0361-224 11124
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Expats as well as Locals in Solidarity for a Safer Bali
Expats as well as Locals in Solidarity for a Safer Bali