‘Further Armed Officers On Patrol’
Following a “spate of burglaries and robberies,” the police said they will be “utilizing its full complement of resources to address these crimes, including the addition of further armed officers on patrol, & enhancement of regular patrols.”
“Since last Friday, we have seen three incidents where firearms have been allegedly displayed during the course of robberies,” said Detective Nicholas Pedro.
The police also said there has been an increase in the circulation of counterfeit Bermuda currency, and the rate of burglaries is currently running at about 25% above what the level they were at for the whole of Q1 in 2011.
To date in 2012, there have been 233 burglaries reported to Police, compared with 187 burglaries for the same period last year. So far in 2012, fourteen persons have been charged with burglary offences, with a total of 29 people having been arrested by Police on suspicion of burglary across the island.
Detective Nicholas Pedro’s full statement follows below:
The Bermuda Police Service is keen to raise awareness about an increase in what we term ‘acquisitive’ crime.
‘Acquisitive crime’ covers crime where items are stolen or acquired fraudulently. This includes theft, burglary, robbery, and fraud. Locally we have also seen an increase in the circulation of counterfeit Bermuda currency.
Recent figures show that the rate of burglaries is currently running at about 25% above what the level they were at for the whole of Q1 in 2011.
To date in 2012, there have been 233 burglaries reported to Police, compared with 187 burglaries for the same period last year.
The Bermuda Police Service wishes to remind the public that there are many things they themselves can do to prevent these types of crimes being committed against them.
There are simple steps that home owners or occupiers can take to ensure that their home is not selected by opportunistic criminals who are looking for insecurities & opportunities that enable them to enter your home.
Our website offers plenty of advice regarding the use of effective lighting, securing doors & windows, and trimming of shrubbery to deny criminals cover. Additionally, members of the public can obtain free crime prevention advice from the BPS Crime Prevention Unit who can attend your residence and provide written feedback on security enhancements.
We are also seeing an increasing trend of robberies where complainants have reported that firearms have been displayed or threatened. Since last Friday, we have seen three incidents where firearms have been allegedly displayed during the course of robberies.
I wish to reassure the public that the Bermuda Police Service is utilizing its full complement of resources to address these crimes, including the addition of further armed officers on patrol, & enhancement of regular patrols.
Members of the public should take steps to ensure that they are maximizing their own safety to prevent themselves becoming a target for criminals. Advice on our website is available for persons to peruse at length to ensure that they protect themselves and properties. However persons should always take steps to be aware of their surroundings, & avoid dimly lit public areas whilst alone, that leave them vulnerable.
The Serious Crime Unit has taken on responsibility for investigating these most recent robberies, headed by a Senior Investigating Officer.
A number of investigative leads are being pursued, and forensic evidence from each of these incidents is being processed & analyzed.
Public Assistance
Burglaries
In particular, we are keen to speak with any member of the public that may have information on persons committing burglaries. There is no one description that links the increase in burglaries, suffice to say significant quantities of cash, jewelry, electronics, and other valuable items are being stolen.
The Bermuda Police Service is busy. To date in 2012, fourteen (14) persons have been charged with burglary offences, with a total of 29 people having been arrested by Police on suspicion of burglary across the island, since the beginning of the year.
The area criminal investigation units are also actively seeking other suspects currently wanted for burglary offences and acquisitive crimes.
Robberies
In relation to the armed robberies, we are keen to speak with anyone that has information in respect of:-
Two suspects in dark or black clothing & shoes on a black and red step thru motorcycle
Both were wearing dark crash helmets
Alleged to be in possession of a chrome or silver coloured firearm
Both subjects are black males in their late teens or twenties
Between 5’8” & 5’10” tall
One was wearing a red bandana over his face
Two incidents occurred last night involving suspects who brandished what is believed to be a firearm whilst robbing persons, one in Smiths, the 2nd in Southampton parish. Whilst we have not concluded that these events are connected, we are examining possible links between the two, and any such links will be confirmed or negated through the process of the investigation.We are seeing evidence that a small percentage of people are continuing to commit a disproportionate amount of crime. It will require the combined efforts of the Police and the members of our community to prevent criminals from hampering our quality of life.
The critical factor in all of these incidents is the need to get assistance from the public. In recent criminal trials we have seen the benefit from members of the public coming forward to provide evidence or information that has assisted in bringing offenders to justice and I would urge anyone that has information regarding any of these events to contact the Bermuda Police Service directly on 295.0011 / 247.1185 (SCU) or on the CONFIDENTIAL & independent Crime Stoppers Hotline on 800.8477.
Members of the public can also “tip off” the Police regarding persons they believe may be acting suspiciously in their neighbourhood, and Police will attend to check on the actions of the suspicious persons. These types of calls have proven very helpful in the past & quite often do not require the caller(s) to attend court & give evidence.
-
Further armed officers to sit in the dark tinted cars on their dark coloured blackberries.
So are we back to reality now, or are the PLP still taking credit for crime being at its “lowest ever”?
They had to deceive us….again
Fill me in on how this has something to do with the PLP?
Can’t Take It, glad you showed up.
The Police need more funding to deal with the appaling crime on the island. But of course, there are always people who will believe any old nonsense fed to them, and stick their heads in the sand.
Here is an example.
When, less than 2 weeks ago, the OBA was telling the government the police needed more funding, your comment was: “to say the police need more funding when the Commissioner revealed his own report saying that crime is down makes no sense. There are more important things to talk about”.
Yeah right, the crime problem is all done now, nothing more to see.
The PLP doesn’t want to spend money on the police. It also doesn’t want to pass laws that will make life seriously difficult for gangs and violent criminals. It is satisfied with limping along hoping for things to get better. But they won’t, not without the leaders of the country really getting to grips with it. Pass laws that outlaw gangs. Pass laws that allow the police to hold without bail for 21 days when the alleged crime is violent or involves a weapon. Do something about the identification of bikes…make them have number plates front and back, make them have electronic ID, ban opaque visors. I can’t understand why the govt just sits and wrings its hands but does little to address the situation.
Increase in robberies (including armed) is positively correlated to a failed education system, a failed social system, failed parental support, career awareness, and moral code. These young people are a product of the PLP’s self centred, me, mine and to hell with the consequences attitude. That is the tip of the iceberg.
Nothing of significance has been put in place to prevent the next generation going the same way. It kills me.
Apart from the above, it has nothing to do with the PLP
So NOW they are stepping up patrols. Makes sense.
Patrols are for HOPE (aka gambling). Community (or lack thereof) is for certainty.
I think that NO prison sentence should be allocated with a “beginning or an end” per say …..you get convicted then you go to jail until you have been deemed rehabilitated 110%….no improvements in mind body and soul…there you will stay until ….lets see how many wanna go up to the “WestGate Resort” then.
also jus bread water n hard work ,,,,,dont wanna work ?, then you dont eat simple …instead of paying 70-80g a year cut it down to minimum daily requirements…then when they are rehabilitated…we may be able to use some of the saved revenue to get them started again outside of the walls…WHY ARE WE PATRONIZING THE MAGGOTS OF OUR SOCIETY BY SUPPLYING THEM WITH MORE THAN WHAT SOME OF US OUT HERE, WHO IS DOING WHAT IS RIGHT , HAVE!!!! F#@k!!!!WAKE UP!!
There is a community effort going on in Chicago called “The Interrupters”…Operation Cease Fire. This Film needs to be aired on Bda TV or somewhere where it can be seen by all…it will probably put our homeland security minister out of a job plus save us money on consultants or whichever clever idea they think they have.
here is the link and a short trailer …check it out then voice your opinion back here ….i’d be very interested in your responses. http://kartemquin.com/films/the-interrupters
Wayne Perinchief, take note of the “interrupters”..operation cease fire !!! very interesting…
I agree pass laws to outlaws gangs but oh yeah some activist will cry that an invasion of human rights. Well what about the majority of law abiding citizens rights to security and safety! Sorry correct me if I’m wrong what positive aspects come out of these gangs who rob harm and terrorize people! And don’t forget the vulnerable children who get into these gangs! Gangs are the root of all evil!
We are not the only ones with a gang problem that is all so similar. Maybe we should take note to what laws they enforce in other islands to deal with it. At the moment we need any good suggestions put on the table.
http://caymannewsservice.com/crime/2011/11/10/gangs-targeted-new-law
And today we read that a female visitor and her young daughters were held at gunpont and robbed.
From our fearless Leader or her Government? NADA. Poor Nick Pedro left to calm our fears, urge us to be patient and have faith they will do all they can to “bring these perpetrators to justice”.
I would say another nail in the coffin of tourism but the coffin’s been lowered six feet down.
Do we ever see the “leaders’ get on TV and promise they will eradicate this crap? It’s a small town in the middle of the Atlantic, grow a set will you! If you can’t there’s a good many of us who will go hunting for you, just let us arm up to be on equal footing, get rid of these apologists running the prison while you’re at it. I heard they threw a leaving party for that female drug dealer from S.A.
and the church gave her a fair bit of money upon parole a few weeks ago? Yet you haven’t got money for Prison officers’ overtime?
Mr. Perinchief sat in the front row of the BUEI theatre and watched the movie Operation Ceasefire. It has been shown at least twice in Bermuda and the OBA are encouraging the National Safety Minister to bring this initiative to Bermuda