Spate Of Armed Robberies Raise Concern
Speaking on the recent increase of armed robberies, Minister of National Security Wayne Perinchief said they are “cause for concern”, but he is confident that the Bermuda Police Service is “actively investigating these matters and taking the pro-active steps required in these times.”
“I would encourage the public to remain vigilant, securing their homes and premises and reporting any hint of suspicious activity to the Police,” said the Minister.
UBP MPs Kim Swan and Charlie Swan said the recent spate of robberies are a “sign of the unfortunate and violent times that we are facing.”
“These recent examples of serious crimes against – visitors to the island, a taxi driver, a shop-keeper and residents of a private home – clearly demonstrates that we all must be more mindful of our surroundings as we go about our daily lives.”
“Sadly, because the sensible reaction for law-abiding citizens and visitors is to take extra precautions to keep from harms way, this change undermines the great reputation we have long enjoyed as being a safe island jurisdiction.”
Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier also addressed the issue saying, “”We have watched with growing concern the number of armed robberies that have taken place since Christmas-time.
“We are very concerned they represent a new and extreme surge of crime, where homes, businesses and guest cottages are raided by gun-wielding robbers.
“We have raised the matter directly with the Police Commissioner and trust the Police Service fully understands the situation and that they are implementing the strategies and tactics to deal with it,” said Mr Cannonier.
In the first three weeks of March there have been four armed robberies, with victims including tourists, a taxi driver, a liquor store employee as well as residents of a Hamilton parish home. Victims are reported to have had guns pointed to their heads in some instances.
On March 5th a taxi driver dropped off a fare in the Lolly’s Lane, Smith’s parish area when he was accosted by two men, one brandishing a gun, who stole a quantity of cash from him before escaping on a motorcycle.
That same night two men — one armed — gained entry into a Southampton guest cottage and stole a quantity of cash, a laptop and two mobile phones before escaping. The occupants of the cottage, an American visitors and her two children, were not physcially injured but we very shaken up by their ordeal.
On March 15th there was an armed robbery at Serpentine Liquors on Serpentine Road in Pembroke at approximately 4.30 in the afternoon.
On March 19th an armed robbery was committed at around 10:30pm at a residence in the Trinity Church Road, Hamilton parish area with two armed men breaking into a home and stealing items including and a motorcycle which they escaped on.
Since December 2010, there have been other instances of armed robberies including one on December 19 at the Henry VIII Pantry in Southampton, and an incident on December 28 which saw armed men ambush a security van at the Hitching Post in Sandys.
In addition there was an armed home invasion in Devonshire on January 3, an armed home invasion in the Friswells Hill area on January 15, and at least two instances of motorcyclists being forced to stop by armed men this year.
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A cause for concern?
Stop talking – DO SOMETHING, MR. PERINCHIEF.
Now is the time for serious action. What is stopping you???
Looks like businesses and homes need to upgrade thier security systems! If I owned a store I’d put those automatic locking doors to lock your stupid @$$ in while I lock myself in a staff door. THen your @44 would be grass!
Thank you for the public statement, but … citizens need to be more aware of their surroundings? That’s not a solution – it doesn’t matter how “aware” you are if armed robbers invade your home or trap you while driving. How about the BPS & PLP becoming more aware of their responsibilities to properly deter and punish these criminals.
Afghanistan just beat Bermuda in cricket; Bermuda is about to beat Afghanistan in crime rate.
this island is no longer safe. come in my house with a knife ill take u on but a gun. i dont kno man..something needs to be done. maybe they should sell bullet proof vests now or something. if we are not safe then our children arent either
Unfortunately we cannot continue to blame the Government for not doing anything about this. We the people are the ones to blame. We here things and see things but don’t report them. We are giving these people the upper hand to continue doing what they do. What do you think happens to the things they steal they bring them home or try to sell them for money. Are we asking our kids where are they getting the stuff they bring home from especially if we didn’t buy it for them? Instead we turn a blind eye to it and life goes on. People we need to stand up and fight back. Teach our young people that there is more out there than a life of crime and running the streets but we have to do it together.
We the public, are sitting ducks. We are not even allowed to have mace to protect ourselves. The criminal element has the upper hand and they know that whatever house they go into they will have the edge – they’ll have the gun. We have our hands. Anything else is illegal.
Personally, what I would like to see is these young pssies attack the wrong house and see one or both of them beaten to within an inch of their lives. Or even worse.
I can personally guarantee that an approach to my house will give you a free ride (flashing lights and all) to emergency – or maybe the morgue.
The sooner this happens then perhaps these young cnts will start to think twice about attacking innocent people.
He encourages the public to remain vigilant, securing their homes and premises? Really is that all you got to say? So if I park my car in my yard and unlock my door and someone is brandishing a gun at me wanting access to my house what does this man recommend me to do? There is absolutely nothing for the public to do SIMPLE! Pretty much everything that can be use to protect ourselves is banned ! So the question remains… WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND US AS THE PUBLIC TO DO IN THESE SITUATIONS?! How about taking a few things off the bend list!
SMH: I think we have to take charge of this ourselves. Is is simply unreasonable for every last type of defense object to be illegal. As I said in my post above – we are sitting ducks. What a laugh these young b$&tards must be having at how pathetic we all are. All you do is walk up to someone and you can take what you want – cos guess what: They aren’t allowed to carry protection -HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
This is the island we live in folks – can’t even carry mace. Its illegal.
No surprise here. If you didn’t see this coming, you have had to have been living in a cave or just not paying attention. As the economy contracts, people cannot afford to get high as much as they are used to. This will undoubtedly have a negative effect on the bottom line for the dealers and since they are the ones with the guns, what makes us think that they wont turn to robbery to fill that void. Wait until the average Joe starts to rob to feed his or herself, then we will see a real spike in robberies. Very unfortunate for the law abiding citizens, who will be at the mercy of robbers, why? they are the ones with the guns.
Before you start saying that I am advocating, that everyone carries a gun for protection. I am not, I am just simply stating the facts for those who may not have been able to connect the dots.
Past time to arm the BPS. You don’t expect a cop to go up against a gun with a taser do you? Would you? Didn’t think so.
THE KIDS! THE KIDS! Who says its kids doing these robberies? Why do some people keep blaming THE KIDS? How many KIDS have actually been charged for these crimes? Your not a kid after you turn 18. LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!
True Dat.
No faith in BPS. They have a police station on Court Street and drug selling not even one block away. If they can’t even stop that, then what chance do we stand. If I was Commissioner that would have been the first place I clean up once the new Police station was built. I know they will just go somewhere else but for Christ sake, make it look like you really care.
My bags r halfway packed!! im gettin off this crazyass rock!!!!!