Comments on: Police Update on Colford Ferguson Murder

By: Two Years Later, Family Hopes For Unity, Justice | Bernews.com

Two Years Later, Family Hopes For Unity, Justice | Bernews.com — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:02:03 +0000

[...] police said they believe the shooting was gang related, but confirmed that Mr Ferguson himself was not a gang [...]

By: ms.

ms. — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:35:51 +0000

this so said!!!!!

By: Very inconsiderate

Very inconsiderate — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:06:54 +0000

Morning Bernews do you know what they arrested the 26yr old at Charing Cross for

By: ppl r human beings n deserve to b treated with respect no matter where they come from or wt race they r

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:49:47 +0000

p.s also if the police arrived sooner there would be no person contaminating the crime scene or snapping photos

By: ppl r human beings n deserve to b treated with respect no matter where they come from or wt race they r

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:47:52 +0000

In my opinion the Bermuda Police Service need to re-arrange their action plan ASAP. Too many ppl r being shot and this is a fact. Meanwhile the public are being told that ONLY a particular group of qualified officers can attend a shooting incident and it takes them a certain amount of time to get to the crime scene. ok so now what s wrong with changing that for the sake of the public? Protect and Serve!!!!

Not saying that the police r at any fault either but we the public need to see a better effort being made because they r paid a decent dollar to do their job

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:21:41 +0000

Winnie, the retreat was held 3rd/4th February.

Therein lies the irony.

By: Winnie

Winnie — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:44:46 +0000

@Navin its the response time from the call was made to the time BPS showed up on scene, we can’t sit back and say its OK that’s fine it is not, they BPS are having a retreat and i’m sure something like this will come up.

By: BermyLove

BermyLove — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:36:52 +0000

Of course I empathise with the victim and his family and especially his daughter, I was just trying to make a point that the public needs to show a bit more appreciation to the police. I do believe that there should be armed police in hotspot areas. On the other hand they cannot predict when a crime is about to happen and for all we know maybe they were in the area just not that close to the crime scene. I apologise if I came across as being insensitive. Its hard to explain my point of view in writing without sounding cold.

By: Bermudian at heart

Bermudian at heart — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:04:08 +0000

I understand that the perpetrator was long gone. My problem with the police taking so long is not only does it give these shooters the idea that the police take long to show up at these types of crimes, but it also allows more time for the scene to be contaminated by nature or humans. If your grevience is with the bystanders taking so long to call the police, so be it, I cannot confirm if that is true. But it still took the police 15 minutes to attend the scene after they had recieved the call which was stated from their own. My biggest fear is that if it takes the police 15 minutes to respond to an incident close to a prominent police station, how long would it take for them to arrive at a scene near to my residence?

By: Bermudian at heart

Bermudian at heart — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:32:46 +0000

I am not disputing that the police arrived there as quick as they could. My problem is that their quickest time was 15 minutes when it is just around the corner from a police station (the only police station in the western parishes). We all know the western parishes (Somerset) has the most occurances of these crimes and we do not have an armed unit that is ready at a moments notice to be deployed from that station.

By: navin r. johnson

navin r. johnson — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:46:30 +0000

ok so would 5 minutes make everyone happy? 3 minutes? the shooter would still be long gone if that is the inference. seems like the focus of this forum is all wrong as The Police did not shoot Mr. Ferguson..there were apparantly witnesses who I trust gave a description or saw something and hopefully they were not the same witnesses who took 30 minutes to call the Police in the first place…perhaps his life could have been saved if the witnesses response was quicker

By: Winnie

Winnie — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:18:07 +0000

I’m def not ripping the police they do and continue to do a wonderful job, however at times situation arises that may highlight certain short comings….. When taxpayers fork out millions for a 400 plus man/woman police service for 60 plus thounsand population, I think they should be held to the highest standards, I challenge anyone to take a drive from say Barnes Corner to Somerset pharmacy and time yourself….. Now imagine if you had access to a siren which allows you to go at a faster speed. 14 Mins response time UNACCEPTABLE of course the purpetrator(s) of these wonton acts of violence and blood shed won’t hang around waiting for BPS to show but Christ we live on a 22sq ml island……We are all in this together

By: Sheriff

Sheriff — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:46:20 +0000

Brasco- I hear you>> we need M3 , Digicel and Cell1 to get with the times with technology and find who was in the area snapping pics… What is wrong when we have to beg the PHOTOGRAPHER TO COME FORWARD?..No – probe into the cells going off in Somerset and pick their a$$es up… What are these towers for? They have a timeline -DO YOUR JOB!!

By: Sheriff

Sheriff — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:32:46 +0000

This is it Boss Lady! very true!

By: :-( RIP BRO

:-( RIP BRO — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:14:29 +0000

Did you read my comment? For safety reasons- in firearms situations EMT’s and the Ambulance cannot get there until AFTER the ARMED police arrive to secure the area.

They took 14mins to get there so the others could not get there until after that.

By: Brasco

Brasco — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:03:04 +0000

I understand your frustrations…damn, I have them too but be a little more realistic….Like the shooter will go to his aunty or uncle and say, Hey I just shot this guy in Somerset, let me stay at your house and watch cable….

We Need Camera’s on every light pole in Bermuda!…..the Police Force we have really and trully isn’t that sharp to handle all this violence.

By: Brasco

Brasco — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:57:53 +0000

I’m sure the Police have Blackberrys or IPhones, they can read all this during their Donut break and before they get deployed to their favorite Stop Signs.

By: them banks hve been robbed like twice in the last 15yrs

them banks hve been robbed like twice in the last 15yrs — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:56:20 +0000

see my name, NUFF SAID. police visibility in somerset is low to begin with, and gets lower once you go past the station down 2 mangrove bay and beyond

By: In General

In General — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:43:05 +0000

Ok – So people are ripping on the police. There responce was slow yes – but if you look at the previous article on the crime the ambulance is showing up with an established police presence there. Meaning that if it took police 15 mins to respond it too the Ambulance MORE than 15 mins. Lets be honest – when a 911 call is made ALL emergency responce units are dispached. The long and the short of it is perhaps there needs to be a review to police responce to crimes, AND in order to save lives the medical professionals need to get there a hell of a lot faster!

By: In General

In General — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:36:20 +0000

Just a thought – the police are there for the crime – why is it that the AMBULANCE did not show up until after the policy arrived. I think the medical professionals are the ones that can revive someone.

By: Winnie

Winnie — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:57:07 +0000

14 mins on secne from the time of the first call totally unaccepatable under any circumstances. I know they are not responding from the station which is nearby. If we have officers out on patrol and they are not going to respond because its a firearm incident, then by all means we need at least 1 officer per car thats armed….. When the Royal Bahamas Police Force started arming officers thay made sure at least 1 officer per patrol unit was armed. So I in my humble opinion think the BPS needs to review their MO. Having some patrol units with unharmed (firearms that is)officers only is defeating the purpose….. Yes I know everyone wants to go home to their families at the end of the day, however the dynamics of policing in Bermuda have changed over the past 2 years, therefore officers know what the job entails. If officers are not willing to respond to dangerous situations then they are in the wrong line of employment….. NB I did not say foolishly throw/expose your self to danger, firemen know when they sign up there’s a great possibility of things getting hot, it is what it is. RIP young man, my condolances to the family. God bless the BPS and God bless Bermuda.

By: Ya'll are just not smart enough

Ya'll are just not smart enough — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:51:43 +0000

Actually, to correct you on your statement ‘Terry’, when you call 911 you are calling the police station. The dispatchers office is located where…….o thats right, its located at the Prospect station where the police armory is kept and the impound is housed. Lets not forget the trainging facilities and the interview rooms and a whole bunch of other stuff that is BPS related!

By: Ya'll are just not smart enough

Ya'll are just not smart enough — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:42:43 +0000

In that case guys, the BPS shouldn’t even show up with guns at all if we all know that the gunmen have already fled. It just seems like a publicity stunt to show that the BPS are being proactive. And when they show up they are harrassing the people that are there like they committed the crime!!! Where is the common sense?
Every police car, be it unmarked or not, should have at least two guns in a locked case in the trunk, just like in the US. And every police car should have a least one officer who is trained in handling a gun. These are the times that our BPS needs to be prepared for, NO EXCUSES! Every officer, in my opinion, should be trained from when they are a recruit to handle a gun. That way, when a situation like this presents itself the BPS can be there within 2 minutes armed and ready to do there damn jobs!

On a side note, why hasn’t the commissioner taken the liberty of spliting the armory up?? He knows that with the increasing gun crime that their current gun carrying officers cannot get from Town all the way up or down the country in time, so why not take a portion of the armory and send it to St. Geo and another part to Somerset and keeping the bulk and main portion in town. This would insure a faster response and deter a few people from their open displays of disregard for the BPS and life itself. I’m just saying.

By: Very inconsiderate

Very inconsiderate — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:54:42 +0000

I don’t under stand how someone enters the crime scene, takes a picture, leaves the scene with out being notice. This person contaminated the scene and went in for one thing. They are just as bad as the shooter. Them n the shooter need to be tied up down flag pole and let me whip their ASSES. R.I.P COLFORD and I dnt want to see any damn response talking about it like looking at an accident on the road or people capturing footage of 911. It’s not the same this MF went into the building of a crime, what were their intentions. This murder wasn’t outside for everyone to this person literally went in building stood over dead body and snap took a picture… WTF… They both have to answer for their actions on JUDGEMENT DAY.. Smith Family I Love U N We Will Make It Thru. Jah grant my family the serenity to accept what has happened and what we can’t change, the courage to change what we can, n the wisdom to know the difference. (tears,tears,tears) We Love U COLFORD, u will definitely be a miss.

By: :-( RIP BRO

:-( RIP BRO — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:44:56 +0000

Bermy Love you sound ridiculous! We are LUCKY that police show up? How LUCKY would you feel if that was your brother, cousin, father… YOU THINK HIS DAUGHTER FEELS LUCKY RIGHT NOW CUZ THE POLICE SHOWED UP?!?!?

The whole point is they didnt have ANYONE capable of handling the situation in Somerset. How can that be if the majority of shootings happen in SOMERSET and TOWN??

I give the police a lot of respect, they have been doing a lot lately… But you cannot deny that the fact that they have to come from town is absurd.

I believe they will catch the shooter. And my problem with them taking so long is because the EMT’s and Ambulance could not arrive on the scene before them…

By: pay attention

pay attention — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:53:47 +0000

BERMUDIAN PEOPLE if you want the shootings to stop then START TURNING THESE DUDES ASSES IN TO THE POLICE!!! Blah blah blah on here and then dont give the info to the authorities when they need! WHY would u want a murder roaming free among you anyway?!?!

By: BermyLove

BermyLove — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:53:05 +0000

Yes LUCKY, the police don’t have to show up to the crime scene just because they “get paid to do it” just like some people that don’t feel like doing their daily job and surf the net or find something else to do. The only difference is the police try “to do their jobs” the public don’t appreciate their efforts and cry “harassment” or mouth off to them. And your are wrong, I do not work for the police, I just appreciate what they do despite the constant criticism. Your anger and resentment the police seems to be clouding your judgement…how is it that someone was able to get close enough to take a picture of the victim at the scene and leave unnoticed before the police got there? How can the police do a proper investigation and not ask if there are any witnesses to the crime??? Don’t you think witnesses are key to any crime including this one? The shooter shot into the building 4 times, how much evidence u think they will get if no one saw anything? Everyone that new the victim said he was a great guy and wasn’t involved in gang life. With no witnesses it will be a little difficult to find the shooter don’t u think? I’m not a cop but I think for myself and come up with my own conclusions.

By: WOW

WOW — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:16:56 +0000

WONDERING IF The RIGHT PEOPLE ACTuaLLy READ THESE DEBATES !!!!!!

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:25:35 +0000

Lmao..when there are disturbances at night clubs the BPS are there in less than 5mins and I am living testimony!!! And yes I am aware these are times when the police maybe more alert however the station during this moment is 1minute away with a JAIL included. There is officers on guard armed or unarmed. Had they been there on time no one would have been able to take pics of the victim! That there is absurd!

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:13:52 +0000

And be 4real..do u really think the shooter is hanging around the scene of a crime!?? LET’s be 4real here. The BPS should have been there in less than 10mins. Even it was to monitor the area until armed officers where on the scene! SMDH

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:07:17 +0000

Do some work will u, it’s funny how ones can assume others are not doing work but have time for FB, Bernews, Myspace, etc during work hours!!!..or change your name..LMAO..CD n P I think u made the wrong ones REDUNDANT!

By: Nicki

Nicki — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:42:47 +0000

Be lucky? I’m sorry but Bermuda isn’t a third world country. They are paid to do their jobs and protect and serve the public. It’s what THEY not US are paid to do! They always beg for the pubics assistance but are quick to disrespect and harass the public. You sound like a police officer. So what if they took a picture! Maybe they don’t know anything! Maybe they hmmm took it AFTER the shooters were gone! No one is going to stand around while shots are ringing off! Not every incident has witnesses! Imagine if the U.S. solely relied on eye witness accounts, nothing would be solved. The police CANNOT be this clueless to what’s going on. Do some damn investigating!

By: Nicki

Nicki — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:39:26 +0000

Well what’s a priority right now? Giving out tickets for seat-belts, a ridiculous law that we lived without for years and years or the public’s safety from gun toting trigger happy thugs? That excuse of not enough officers and budget cuts is like I said nothing but an excuse. They can have officers out and about giving out tickets so where is the logic?

By: :-( RIP BRO

:-( RIP BRO — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:33:49 +0000

Nurse – I am not feeding off of hear say everything I have said is true and I’m not being pokey I am a family friend. The police took 14mins to respond because they had to come from town. The armed tasks force is in Hamilton.

In firearms situations the ambulance and EMTs cannot get on the scene until the ARMED police are there and have it secured (which I am not complaining about). My issue is that we only have a select few officers that can respond and they are all in town. It just doesn’t make sense. If that’s the best the BPS can do then the public isn’t going to stay very confident for long.

There is literally a police station around the corner… Had there been armed police officers in the vicinity they may have had better chance of catching the shooter and saving Colford.

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:14:33 +0000

LOOK!!!! I am tired of the excuses for the BPS!! The excuses are BS!!! I don’t care if its 2mins 5mins! Are u telling me the station has NOooooooo officers on guard! There is a jail there so I kno there are officers there armed or unarmed, OK! The station should AUTOMATICALLY go on lock down until further notice! Its amazing how I HAVE SEEN the police come out in FULL FORCE! With guns, bullet proof vest, pepper spray, paddy wagon, a big ass white wagon, etc in less than 5 mins when a FIGHT breaks out at numerous occasions!!! It has been noticed and I can’t seem to wonder how or why when there are GUNSHOTS the PO PO are not around!!??um jus sayin!!! And don’t give me any BS about doing ya JOB or askin for others to come and apply. Cause YOU offered to take on the responsibility and didn’t DREAM about bullet bullet bullet, did you? Its about MONEY, str8! This is why bermudians will eventually take things into their own hands regardless of the BPS..Time will prevail….

By: Nurse N

Nurse N — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:06:24 +0000

I am not saying that 14mins is totally acceptable! But they had to work with wat they had. Please have a listen to the press staement made earlier, and listen to their response. I understand that you may be frustrated and all but Like many pokey Bermudians you are feeding off of hear-say and emotions! Nobody knows when the shooting are going to happen. We just have to keep the confidence in the BPS, do our jobs as community members (giving up information that we know), and let the system do its job!

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:57:07 +0000

BermyLove….Great idea.

Too hell with it. This brings a new meaning to “Devil Island”. Quo Fatat Furunt”…

Wherever the Meat May Lead Us. Circa 2010……………………

Carrots anyone…..An Onion? Onions…….

By: Nurse N

Nurse N — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:52:44 +0000

I believe you missed the point! Time is very critical when it comes to emergencies, don’t get me wrong! I know all about the importance of time! However, i feel as though people will always complain about the police (bermuda in particular!) and their response, especially when they don’t understand the whole story! The important to remimber here is the police did respond as soon as they could, and went straight to work! Fine they didnt get their at the snap of the publics finger, but they got their as soon as they could! I dont believe in any way that they were “taking their own sweet time”! And if you read other news mediums you will see their response to responding in 14mins.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:37:14 +0000

Well apparently certain Senators are on the “soap box”.

Screaming, shouting down news coverage.

Maybe just a confoozeed negro.

By: BermyLove

BermyLove — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:32:13 +0000

I agree The Truth Hurts. As far as I’m concerned, we should be lucky that the police responded at all because in some countries they don’t!! I have a better idea, why doesn’t the whole police force quit their jobs and leave it to the people to solve since some think they know so much and are willing to put their lives on the line…ONO but witnesses rarely speak up about what they know…let’s not forget that someone took a picture of the victim at the scene and sent it around so where are he/she and why haven’t he/she contacted the police???? Just a thought….

By: BermyLove

BermyLove — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:07:45 +0000

I read it on the RG website but even if they are giving false information, 15 mins is not a long time if there are unarmed officers in the area.

By: The Truth Hurts

The Truth Hurts — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:45:32 +0000

I bet the same people that moan and groan about police response time would be the same ones that would complain if the police spent all their time at the station. Police Officers don’t police like a fire brigade. They go out all day as part of their duties. When the crystal ball arrives that can predict crime, then im sure it will make things easier. If we as the public want to get a on soap box, let’s discuss budget cuts in the essential services that make it more difficult to put more officers on the road.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:38:42 +0000

Nicki. Spot on.

Our best product was “years behind”. Now it’s…never mind.Pathetic….’keep dem ponies rolling raw hide’………….

Yah now what they say…..If yah can’t own a hill….take it……bwahaaaaaaaaa

By: Bermudian at heart

Bermudian at heart — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:36:12 +0000

Yes I do live here. My statement also has to do with my life experiences. My belief is that an officer being armed has nothing to do with the time. My opinon about guns is my belief and I’m sorry if it does not agree with yours, but to me it does not justify an officer attending the scene 15 mins after the call was placed when it is within 2 miutes of walking distance. I do believe in police having armed officers (as we do now), but I totally do not believe that every officer should be equipped with guns at all times. As for innocent people dying, do you believe that less innocent people will die due to police having guns. I’m sorry but if he was innocent and these fools were shooting at someone else, what does an armed officer have to do with the situation especially if they arrive 15 minutes later..

By: It Is What It Is?

It Is What It Is? — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:29:20 +0000

Thank you…they knew what their jobs would entail as dangerous as it may be…they didn’t join the force and expect to bake raisin bread during their shift..that’s the job that they chose to do and yes sometimes danger and risk come with the territory…I know that they do have an Emergency Task Force..are they just deployed from Hamilton? wouldn’t it make sense to have them at every station? Not sure how it works…..

By: Bermudian at heart

Bermudian at heart — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:03:49 +0000

How can you as nurse make a statement that one does their job regardless of how long it took. Maybe I maybe just too ignorant to know any better but isn’t time a big priorty when it comes to emergencies. To me that is most important part of attending an emergency. If not then why is it called an emergency instead of a job. That statement coming from a nurse is very frightening. Mercy!

By: :-( RIP BRO

:-( RIP BRO — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:02:53 +0000

Bermudian @ Heart do you live here?? That point in time HAS COME… IT is NOW that police need to start carrying guns. And the point in time where an innocent person has to die for people to start realizing that THEY are no longer safe HAS COME IT is NOW. Colford was an innocent man mistaken for someone else.

The time has come… The police need to step up their game.

Everyone said.. “wait til they kill someone innocent”… well here you go!

Now people are going to have to start watching who they sit next to and who is living next door…

By: Bermudian at heart

Bermudian at heart — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:53:31 +0000

Honestly in all due respect, I do not believe that an officer being armed has anything to do with attending a scene. It is merely an excuse for an officer not doing their job. Just as though it is a point in time where police require guns, there would be a point in time when an innocent person is killed from their gun. It is inevidable.

By: Bermudian at heart

Bermudian at heart — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:43:32 +0000

‘Consider the Option’ What you fail to release is that this is their job. Even though most people feel that their current tools inadequate for their job, they still applied for it knowing what tools they are equipped with.

By: This is Crazy

This is Crazy — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:28:04 +0000

For all the people who think that it took the RESIDENTS IN THE AREA 30 minutes to call the police allow me to correct you… the police where called when gun shots were fired, not 30 minutes after the fact. So where ever you got your information from it is in fact FALSE. I am one of the residents in the area and i know for a fact that the police were not called that long after shots were fired!