Minister: “Appalling Attempt At Intimidation”
The deliberate fire set to PLP MP Ashfield Devent’s car yesterday [Sept 17] was “an appalling attempt at intimidation that will be investigated and strongly prosecuted,” Minister of National Security Wayne Perinchief said.
The incident was widely condemned by a number of people including the Governor, Premier, both major political parties, as well as both candidates for Constituency #21 Pembroke South East – the seat Mr DeVent presently holds.
The PLP said: “We call on the members of public to refrain from these types of destructive acts, especially in this heightened political environment,” while the PLP candidate for Pembroke South East, Rolfe Commissiong, said, “I wish to personally deplore the apparent firebombing of the car of M.P. Devent.”
The OBA candidate for the area, Jeff Baron, said: “But that this incident happened at all – the firebombing of an MP’s automobile outside his home – is very disturbing. Nothing can be gained from such an act.”
Premier Paula Cox said: “Clearly however any attack or personal threat against an individual is reprehensible and has no place in Bermuda,” while the Governor said: “I am shocked that an attack like this should be made, especially on someone involved directly in the service of his community and the whole of Bermuda, as an MP and as Chair of the Parole Board.”
When asked what he think may have provoked the incident Mr Devent told ZBM: “Could be any one of a number of reasons. Could have something to due with the fact I am Chairman of the Parole Board. Could be politically motivated which I hate to think is the case, we are living in a new Bermuda…different times. And of course it could just be some nut job.”
The police are investigating the incident, and anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Detective Constable Chris Sabean on 295-0011.
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Category: Accidents and fires, All, Crime, News
“Could be the he is on the Parole Board” yeah possibly or it could be the fact that he is part of the PLP klan. None the less very disturbing.
that’s the way it is… bermuda’s social decline
“…And of course it could just be some nut job.”
Love it! That about sums it up.
had to laugh at that one too. very honest i might say. lol
This country needs to get very serious about these crimes.Car bombing,drug importation,shootings and street gangs.These are all signs that we’re on the verge of becoming a third world country.The government can no longer sweep these issues under the carpet.The problem is not going to go away.The problem will get worse.The children of this country will have no future,no chance at a comfortable life.
Sorry xfiles, you got it wrong. We already are a third world country accelerating rapidly down the ladder of doom. Soft government, soft sentences, and soft ” Correctional Facility.” Look up the definition of “facility.” What we need urgently is, stiffer sentences for these kind of crimes, and a return to a PRISON, with hard time, hard guards, no drugs, cell phones or visitors. Unlikely to happen I know.
I have to say after a recent personal experience, westgate has the least security out of all 3 facilities. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? No I wasn’t locked up. A little off topic but people are always saying inmates should be found some sort of work to do while locked up, well they could start by cleaning all trash from behind the cell blocks. I was rather disgusted and I was in a prison. Another thing that blew me away, was that all the prison officers could seem to talk about was their belief of the inevitability that sooner or later a gun would come over the wall. Our officers can not properly perform their job if they constantly live in fear. Anybody watched the shows on prisons in the US? The way they operate inside of the prions gives the inmates little or no opportunity to do ANYTHING mischeivious. You don’t comply, you get maced before they even open your door, still don’t comply, your likely to have a riot team sitting on top of you decked in full riot gear shields and all. Could you imagine if our inmates had to deal with being treated like this, powerless? Westgate wouldn’t be such a magical place anymore. Its time we faced the fact that times are changing and our island along with it. I think its time we stepped up accordingly. With the types of people that are going to westgate these days, I think there should be trained and armed guards on the perimeter around the clock. The officers within the facility should also be provided with means to protect themselves and others with the likes of pepper spray, tasers and beanbag/riot guns, all non-lethal, in the sense that you don’t shoot someone in the face with a rubber bullet unless you intend to veggitate them. Some people will say we don’t need all this, we can ignore the issue like the government has for years, but let’s just say a gun does get over the wall, even if its in pieces over time. If that does happen westgate just turned into a maximum security fortress with an army of criminals and a complex full of hostages. If it gets to that you better hope the UK or the US are in a helpful mood. Bottom line is its preventable, prior preperation prevent piss poor performance.
I agree but, please look up the meaning of third world.
No offense
Welcome to Jamaica
Is Jamaica the only country yiou know?????
Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Korea…Oh, I forgot Antigua and that twit who was here a few weeks ago.
Watch how this one plays out. Another bullet in the mail. Hmmmm. That one sure was prosecuted to the fullest wasn’t it?
Lets see… Who or what group would most likely want to intimidate Ashfield?
Maybe you Triangle Drifter. You’re always trying to intimidate people. Go back and read your comments since “blogging” became a psstime for Bermudians.
Whooops! Did I step on some toes there Laverne?
Nope, sorry, not me. Off D rock drifting again.
What is the point of picking on a defenceless car anyhow?
Lavern, you have the nerve to to accuse people of intimidation !!! lady you are know for your intimination….. you some how get away with it on talk shows….
Depends which talkshow she calls. Her Aceboy on the hill lets her ramble on & on. Apparently he is fearful too. She does not have the nerve to call the place on Reid St. The host there has no tolerance for unsubstantiated ramblings.
Pepper, you are right. Laverne could write a book on the art of intimidation. Ever been to a little protest outside of Cabinet or the House? She is right there taking notes, looking around seeing who is there.
Nothing can be gained from such an act.”
But we’re working on it.
“an appalling attempt at intimidation”….Minister Perinchief, YAH THINK!!!
I don’t know the man personally, but hear that he has done quite a lot for his community. It’s very sad that this has happened on this tiny Island..so much for One Love! The man spoke out and stood up or what he believes in and his car gets fire bombed….unflippin real!
I DO have the pleasure of knowing Mr. DeVent personally, and he has always given his heart and soul to all of the people of Bermuda to the point that it has effected him personally. It is frightening to think that people in Bermuda who DO speak honestly are in danger. So much for ONE LOVE indeed. I again argue that Bermuda needs to bring in cops who don’t know anyone, are properly trained, and will NOT stand around with their hands in their pockets. Enough is ENOUGH!!!