Football Association: $148,000 For CCTV Security
In an effort to combat violence at matches, the Bermuda Football Association budgeted $148,000 in their 2009/10 to install wireless closed-circuit television [CCTV] at six sites as well as at their BFA training field. They also budgeted $30,000 for extra security at high risk matches.
In previous years the BFA have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on security; including monies to bolster long term security such as $28,000 for security wands and $28,000 for two-way radios.
Violence at football games has long been an issue that plagues Bermuda, with some games seeing a small fraction of fans ruining the event for all. From small fights to full scale brawls with machetes, the BFA has battled security issues for years.
One central gang is well known to strongly support a certain local football team, and there have been reports of tensions amongst fans at a few games due to the gang members presence and actions.
With a general amping up of crime, especially shootings, security concerns may be more at the forefront. Earlier this month on April 5, two people were shot at an after party at the Dandy Town Club on St Johns Road. Dandy Town fans were at the Club celebrating their League 3-1 win over PHC Zebras.
In a statement the BFA said the shooting “pierced the heart” of “the family of the Bermuda Football Association and one its members namely the Western Stars Sports Club, home of the Dandy Town Hornets.”
The BFA say security concerns include:
The exclusion of known troublemakers, detection of anti-social behaviors at matches, pre-match security checks, enforcement of laws regarding the service of alcoholic beverages at clubhouses, and monitoring such as CCTV at high risk venues.
The BFA received over $2 million in Government funding in the 2010/11 budget.
