Police Advisory On Kite Flying & Complaints
[Updated] The police have urged people to be fly kites responsibly, saying, “let’s not make things even more difficult for each other during this already testing time.”
Assistant Commissioner Martin Weekes said, “With the Easter season upon us, and everybody Sheltering at Home the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] anticipate an increase in the Bermudian tradition of kite flying.
“The BPS, understands that as Easter approaches many Bermudians will take advantage of being at home and will try to fly kites from their residences.
“However, we note that there has also been an increase in persons making reports to the BPS of loud kites, kites fitted with what are traditionally called hummers, disturbing their peace, particularly with people being home all day.
“Whilst the BPS is sympathetic to kite enthusiasts, particularly at this time of year, we must also be sensitive to those who make reports and must be seen to uphold the law.
“The BPS Parish Constable have recently held a number of Town Hall style meetings to address these concerns and to remind the public that Section 18a of the Summary Offences Act 1926 states: ‘It is an offence for any person who in any public place flies any kite to the annoyance or danger of any passenger or frequenter.”
“In most cases when the BPS are called to investigate such reports, the kite flyers have been reasonable and taken down their kites, however in some cases persons have been and will continue to be placed before the courts if they continue to fly kites in a manner that disturbs their neighbours.
“We currently are all facing unprecedented times. The novel Coronavirus [Covid-19], and the restrictions implemented to prevent its spread, have everyone now Sheltering at home. We therefore urge kite enthusiasts to take this into consideration, in the days leading up to Good Friday and to additionally be careful not to have kite strings and monofilament fall across power lines and their neighbours yards.
“Let’s not make things even more difficult for each other during this already testing time.”
Update 1.30pm: In an online post, the BPS said, “Following up on the statement from Assistant Commissioner of Police, Martin Weekes on annoying kite complaints, please have a look at the video below which highlights the possible threat by string from abandoned kites or string from kites flown in built up areas. Particularly the use of fishing line.”
Let’s not cherry pick here. Include Drones as well.
Now the BPS want to strike a conciliatory tone…We have all seen the videos of the BPS stopping individuals from flying kites at Shelly Bay Field, Astwood Park, St. David’s Field, etc. BPS, you have eroded goodwill with a large section of the black community which you need to fulfill your mandate.
Thank you! Fly your beautiful kites (love to see them!) without the obnoxious noise all day ringing in my ears so loud that I can’t sit outside and enjoy my own personal yard space. I appreciate the kites, and the tradition, and I will be flying mine too….with no hummers to annoying the entire parish of Warwick all day.
Thanks to the mailboxes guy for throwing himself under the bus to finally get this dealt with as it should be.
if I had someone’s string carelessly draped over my porch railing, the simple solution is cutting the string! I wouldn’t waste time filming it…
I am Bermudian and grew up flying kites out of my driveway. I was always taught to be aware of where your string is, and what your kite is doing…if you pay attention to the wind, you can launch and reel it in safely.
Hummers on Good Friday are fine, but any Bermudian should know, hummers are not okay any other day. You can still fly a traditional Bermuda kite without hummers before Good Friday. Sadly, we have become an increasingly selfish country over the years, and adults as much as children have adopted a “why can’t I ?attitude” instead of a “think of others attitude”…
What about drones?