Ministry/Crime Stoppers Gun Bounty Programme
[Updated with video] The Ministry will initiate a gun bounty programme aimed at getting illegal firearms off the streets, Minister of Public Safety Michael Dunkley said this afternoon [Apr 12].
Phase 1 will be promoting an awareness of Crime Stoppers emphasizing confidentiality, phase 2 will be the implementation of a gun bounty programme which will see rewards offers for information that leads to the recovery of a firearm or the arrest and prosecution of an offender, and phase 3 will comprise an illegal weapons amnesty.
“We don’t know the exact number of guns on our streets, but we do know from court trials and forensic evidence that guns are passed around and have been used to commit several different murders and shooting injuries. Imagine the impact if we take just one gun off the street, how many potential tragedies we might prevent in the future,” said the Minister.
Minister Dunkley concluded, “Bermuda has zero-tolerance for illegal firearms and that policy remains unchanged. In this fight against guns, gangs, drugs and violence, partnerships like this one between the Ministry of Public Safety and Crime Stoppers Bermuda are vital to taking back communities. Together we can make Bermuda safer.”
Minister Dunkley’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon everyone and thank you for coming.
I am pleased to join Crime Stoppers Bermuda for two important announcements. Firstly, let me congratulate Mr. Raphael Simons and Ms. Malika Musson who are the new Chairman and Deputy Chair of Crime Stoppers Bermuda.
Both of these young people combine a wealth of talent and experience in their respective fields that make them ideally suited to these new roles. Raphael comes from a law enforcement background and gave valuable service as a police officer for several years. Malika is a communications specialist and likewise brings a public service background from DCI, tourism and the LF Wade International Airport to this new position.
On behalf of the Ministry of Public Safety I wish both of you every success in the vital role you will play in making Bermuda safer.
The second announcement today is related to the important, new partnership between the Ministry of Public Safety and Crime Stoppers Bermuda. Earlier this year I announced that the Ministry would initiate a gun bounty programme, aimed at getting illegal firearms off the streets.
This programme will be in three phases over a sustained period and starting this month. In phase one, we will mount a public education campaign to promote the important role that Crime Stoppers Bermuda plays in the community. Through all available media we will promote an awareness of Crime Stoppers Bermuda, emphasizing the key element of confidentiality.
Phase 2 will be the implementation of a gun bounty programme proper. Starting in May, through this partnership anonymous tips will be encouraged as a means to find criminals and their guns. We must deploy every resource to rid our Island of firearms and through this confidential method and the provision of a reward for valuable information, we expect to achieve some success.
To receive any reward, the information provided must lead to the recovery of a firearm or the arrest and prosecution of an offender. Firearms are illegal in Bermuda and the law will continue to deal harshly with those who handle or use them.
Later in the summer phase 3 will comprise an illegal weapons amnesty. This campaign will emphasize the importance of complying with our laws around prohibited weapons and will encourage the public to hand-in any such items to the Police.
We don’t know the exact number of guns on our streets, but we do know from court trials and forensic evidence that guns are passed around and have been used to commit several different murders and shooting injuries. Imagine the impact if we take just one gun off the street, how many potential tragedies we might prevent in the future.
We don’t know the exact number of guns on our streets, but we do know from court trials and forensic evidence that guns are passed around and have been used to commit several different murders and shooting injuries. Imagine the impact if we take just one gun off the street, how many potential tragedies we might prevent in the future.
Bermuda has zero-tolerance for illegal firearms and that policy remains unchanged. In this fight against guns, gangs, drugs and violence, partnerships like this one between the Ministry of Public Safety and Crime Stoppers Bermuda are vital to taking back communities. Together we can make Bermuda safer.
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Articles that link to this one:
- Michael Scott On Gun Buy Back Programme | Bernews.com | April 17, 2013
Hey Mike what a fantastic new idea, what say we all have a gun bounty …Hmmmmmmm..wow!( how much are we spending for these “fresh” ideas).. after all people were looking for an opportunity to hand in the bounty, I don’t know why the other party didn’t think of that..Maybe they didn’t realize guns are illegal..We had so many people pass through BDA with guns ammunition gold, guns handguns, ammo, hello….Are we only serious with our own youth?
(drip,drip,drip,with sarcasm)
I think this idea is fantastic for Bermuda!
The only thing that is missing is the introduction of incredibly stiff new sentences (like 20 years jail, no questions asked if you are caught with a gun in your possession) following the gun amnesty date.
Otherwise, what is the incentive to turn them in?
I applaud any new initiatives to keep our community safe.
end prohibition
why are u people so thick..? no amount of bounties or amnesties will get the criminals to turn in their guns…as for horrendous sentences, that jus means more killings to prevent eyewitnesses…think with logistical reasoning…the only way to slow down their roll is to give out arms permits to the fully versed n trained arms handlers…lets even up the playing field…they will think twice before barging into an unknown residence for fear of instant retaliation…not all bermudians are criminals, but we all have a right to defend ourselves. Yes there will be a few killings until we weed out the worms. THINK…IMAGINE… use your own brain for a change instead of following YOU KNOW WHO!.
Of course criminals won’t just hand their guns in for a bounty they’ll just inform on other criminals to get a bounty. That takes care of phase 1 & 2 but who knows if phase 3 will come about once the other criminals are disarmed.
Dopey it says info leading to arrest! Money for being a snitch
So what happens during phase 3 during the weapons amnesty when a weapon is traced back to a serious crime or murder, will the person be able to walk away clean due to the amnesty?
The Minister said the police have no idea of how many guns are actually out there.
If there are say 100 guns in the community, then there could be a chance that a good percentage of those guns will be cashed in. The guns used to commit murder may eventually turn up as well.
That is a good question!