Police Respond To Cup Match Marijuana Allegation
Following an allegation made by UBP Senator Michael Dunkley that Police turned a blind eye while patrons smoked marijuana at Cup Match, the Police have responded saying there were 150 officers in and around the Somerset Cricket Club grounds and they received no complaints of cannabis smoking from the public.
The Royal Gazette reported that Senator Dunkley said:
I saw it at Cup Match with my own eyes. The law is the law and it was being flaunted in the public atmosphere. I am not saying the Police should charge in like a bull in a china shop [but] we as the community need to decide what we need to do. Are we going to allow our laws to be flaunted?
There were a lot of Police there and nothing was done. I saw a guy in the Crown and Anchor tent passing it around. These things are taking place right in front of the Police and nothing is being done.
The Police responded this morning [Aug 4] saying:
Cup Match was a very well policed event with 150 officers in and around the Somerset Cricket Club grounds over the two days. During that time we received no complaints of cannabis smoking from any member of the public. In addition, senior Police officers were at Cup Match for extended periods and did not observe cannabis smoking taking place.
The Bermuda Police Service enforces the law whenever there are breaches and continues to encourage any member of the public who sees or suspects illegal activity taking place to report it to Police immediately.
In My opinion, Mr Dunkley needs to stop… simply because if he was so concerned and “saw it with his own eyes” why didn’t he go and notify the many police that were there????? he did see the culprits so he could have easily lead the police to them… why wait until after the event to speak with the newspaper??? I mean I know that you are a politician and you need to be seeming to do a job… but come on maybe you should have had a joint or two and maybe you could actually execute your position instead of acting as if you are…. everybody needs there 15 minutes…. imjustsayin
Exactly
Mr. Dunkley, Why did you stand by and watch them smoking marijuana? Why didn’t you complain to the police right then and their if you where so perplexed? Why wait till after the fact? Blah Blah Blah see and don’t see, smell and don’t smell. Had you complained and nothing was done then bring it to the public. After of course taking down the badge number of every officer that ignored you and sending it to the Commissioner of Police. Surely out of 150 officers someone would have done something. I would hope so anyway but then again…….. I am not so sure anymore.
Anyone here old enough to remember the final night of ‘Summerfest’ in ’76 ? (’77?)
Same situation but even worse .. the air was blue …Heads of police and both political parties there.
In their best interests no one did diddly ..
Better that than cause a riot.
But nonetheless , people brazen enough to flaunt that one law probaly have little respect for any of the others …simply because it’s an open act of defiance.
“During that time we received no complaints of cannabis smoking from any member of the public”….
Cleverly worded. If nobody said anything, then it didn’t happen right?
Clearly they are missing a few of their senses at the very least their sense of smell. But who cares no one complained.
If Dunkley felt strong enough to report this to the press,he should have felt strong enough to either report it to the nearest police officer, or ask for a senior police officer. Instead, he ignored it and sought the headlines instead, and in doing so, missed the opportunity to lead by example.
Shame on him!
Exactly Liz, no one complained and Mr Dunkley who claims he saw people smoking should have reported them then. Or is he just being a politician and spitting rhetoric? Some people make me laugh I tell you.
If everyone was doing it, and everyone had a good time, and no one started a fight or acted out of control because of doing it…why the hell is it such a crime to do it?