Minister of Public Safety On Crime Stats Report
Minister of Public Safety Michael Dunkley commented on the 2012 Crime Statistics released yesterday, saying, “These statistics indicate that targeted Police strategies are causing crime to trend downwards and emphasize the importance of providing the Police with the resources to sustain the effort required to make even greater impact. observed.”
Minister Dunkley continued, “One gun crime is one too many and the Commissioner’s focus on guns, gangs, drugs and violence is one the Government fully supports.
“Serious crimes are investigated thoroughly and difficult cases are successfully prosecuted in the Courts. The message of just how senseless these crimes are is hopefully getting through and alternatives to the gang lifestyle will take hold.”
Government promised in the 2012 campaign to implement a “cash back for communities programme” using proceeds of crime in support of sports clubs and community organizations. Minister Dunkley indicated that he had already advanced this initiative and that Cabinet would shortly consider the amendments required to make it a reality.
The crime statistics indicate that $1,172,516.16 was seized in 2012, as compared to $3,148,874.00 which was confiscated in 2011.
“We are determined to turn the negatives of crime into positives for the community and using confiscated cash in this way will support those sports clubs in the vital role they play on the Island,” the Minister said.
“There is obviously more work to do and the Police are not resting on their laurels. The encouraging trends do not mean any lessening of the zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour. The renewed focus on traffic enforcement is just as important as other policing operations and this too has the Government’s full support.
“Like every organization the BPS is aiming to do its work more efficiently and the Commissioner’s plans to achieve this deserve the support of everyone in the community,” concluded Minister Dunkley.
Mr. Dunkley I saw you on last nights news talking about rehabilitation. It doesn’t work SIR!!! That’s why we have men going in and out of prison like it’s a holiday camp for time out. Bermuda is to small a place for rehabilitation. In most places in the World they place the person in another state or environment. Yes I understand we don’t have the funds since the PLP spent all the money blah blah. You and the top men of the OBA are starting to sound like the old Gov PLP listening to the same government advisors, that told them what to do. You told Bermuda you had a plan in place.
You need to start thinking out side of the BOX!! We have no deterrent in place. The Prison that we have is one big country club or hotel for men. If people think this Island is bad now, lets just say in a 4 to 8 years it will be the isles of Devils, which is an old name for Bermuda. I ask my relative the other day is he scared to go prison……… he simply replied why should I be scared I have my own room there.