Minister Dunkley: “Neighbourhood Watch 2.0″
“Neighbourhood Watch 2.0” will notify residents of public safety alerts via voice call and text message, Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said this morning [Mar 13] in the House of Assembly.
The Minister said, “Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 will turn neighbourhoods into a network of awareness. The initiative will provide neighbourhoods with a real-time communication system connecting everyone who wishes to join. With one phone call or text message, a resident will have the ability to notify all of their neighbours regarding crime or suspicious activity.”
Minister Dunkley’s full statement follows below:
A strong community needs equally strong public participation. Some of the key benefits associated with increased participation are the development of our youth, safer communities and stronger relationships.
Mr. Speaker, as the Minister for Public Safety, I have heard the increased voices within our community ask “How can I help?” Today, I would like to highlight how each member of the public can strengthen their individual community thus strengthen Bermuda as a whole by starting in their neighbourhoods.
Mr. Speaker, Neighbourhood Watch is one of the most effective ways to reduce crime and build better relationships between residents of a specific area. It also encourages members of the community to share the responsibility for the welfare and upkeep of their neighbourhood.
Neighborhood Watch teaches individuals the steps that can be taken to help protect their homes and communities. Mr. Speaker, it also organizes the neighbourhood into a group which can make crime prevention a part of their daily routine; just by looking out for each other.
Mr. Speaker, some of the key benefits of Neighbourhood Watch are neighbours getting to know each other and working in mutual assistance; neighbours working together to identify problems and propose solutions; neighbours working together for sponsored cleanup programs to rid the community of eye sores i.e. abandoned vehicles, trash, graffiti and etc; and neighbours being trained to recognize and report suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods so when they see a crime or suspicious activity, it is reported immediately.
Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda Police Service’s Community Action Team (CAT), led by Inspector Jerome Laws, has assisted in the implementation of over 115 Neighbourhood Watch Groups and Community Action Groups (CAG) all over the island.
Mr. Speaker, CAG is a multi – agency problem solving group consisting of faith based and business partners, helping agencies, and most importantly members of the local community. Each member brings different skill sets and knowledge. This enables a more cohesive plan of action to resolve the problems identified by the community.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of having CAG are for targeting the main concerns of the community, members come together to plan, implement policies and programs; and focusing on the concerns that will reassure the community, improve safety, reduce crime and disorder.
Mr. Speaker, CAG can assist in community engagement, through public meetings, surveys and workshops, thereby identifying community priorities. Like Neighbourhood Watch Programmes, they can also assist the police in problem solving, crime prevention and community safety projects.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the residents of Cameron Close, Crisson Avenue, Convict Bay, Ducks Puddle Drive, Friswells Hill, Knapton Estates, Ord Road, Spring Benny Road, St. Monica’s Road, and the Waterfront Properties’ Business Watch to name just a few of the groups in existence. And more are being formed on a regular basis; the Loyal Hill area in Devonshire is one in its fledgling stage.
Mr. Speaker, as outlined in the Speech from the Throne, the vibrant Neighborhood Watch Programme must be supported as Bermuda’s residents bravely commit to taking back their communities. The Government will further enhance the system’s effectiveness by providing residents with information on what is happening within their neighbourhoods.
Mr. Speaker, soon the Ministry of Public Safety will be announcing a public/private partnership with a local vendor whose programme is aligned with international best practice standards.
Mr. Speaker, “Neighbourhood Watch 2.0” is designed to enhance the present Neighbourhood Watch Programme by using technology to connect neighbours and their communities. “Neighbourhood Watch 2.0” will notify residents via voice call and text message with public safety alerts. Smart use of technology is a best-practice tool in the fight for safer communities.
Mr. Speaker, “Neighbourhood Watch 2.0” will turn neighbourhoods into a network of awareness. The initiative will provide neighbourhoods with a real-time communication system connecting everyone who wishes to join. With one phone call or text message, a resident will have the ability to notify all of their neighbours regarding crime or suspicious activity.
Mr. Speaker, keeping Bermuda safe is not solely the responsibility of the Police. Each member of the community can play a vital role by getting involved in their neighbourhood. I salute each member of the community, each Neighbourhood Watch Group and each Community Action Group who have stepped up to the plate and welcome more to join and form throughout the Island.
Mr. Speaker, cooperation, participation and partnerships are paramount for the betterment of our community. It is respect for that which we have in common that must guide our actions.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Category: All, Crime, News, technology
ITS MORE LIKE SNITCH 2.0 LOL
Oh so we’re just supposed to let people rob our houses and our neighbors? Sorry but if someone wants to come and take things my family has WORKED for I’ll shatter every single bone in both their hands…thats my version of crime prevention, the physical inability to do it again.
“Snitch” is a term used by criminals and prison inmates. The rest of us want to know when someone is trying to break into homes in our area, sell drugs to the children in our area, or any other illegal activity. We recognize that today it may be your home, tomorrow it could be mine.
Mr. Nick Kempe, OBA candidate for Pembroke District 18, tried to start a Neighborhood Watch on North Shore, but I don’t know what has happened with that since he was unsuccessful in his bid to become a Parliamentarian.
More like in with the times…and about time.
Makes no sense at all.
Just call the police, your neighbours can not arrest anyone.
We do not need regular people trying to inforce the law.
We definitely do not need a Trevon Martin event here.
I’m not sure how one would “inforce” the law, but this initative isn’t to get regular people to inforce the law, or to enforce the law! If they are made aware of an incident, they may end up being a witness which could prove valuable.
Yet with an attitude like yours, if you were robbed, why would anyone bother to help you?
It will lead to a vigilante mentality.
Let the police ‘inforce’ the law and if you witness something
pass your information onto the proper authorities
Since I moved into my neighborhood I’ve prevented multiple crimes and called the police each time, the thing is they arrive far too late and the perps get away every time. One instance they were slashing stolen bikes at an abandoned property next door, I confronted them and they left, my boy came over so we went to see what they were up to, as we approached we could hear movement, shined a flashlight into the yard and the person bolted, which means they came back. Called the police, they eventually arrived and ended up removing the bikes. I’m no cop, wanted to join, but common sense would have told me to set up a sting op. Hell I would have spent my night in the bushes waiting and called if further activity had come about FOR FREE. Point is the police are useless unless they are 10ft away from the crime. If I cane a theif over the head, hey look popo an unconscious body you can handcuff and beat with a phonebook for information. Again bottom line, the police are useless unless WE are VIGILANTe.
Apparently, you don’t remember Loyal Hill – you come in but you won’t leave the same as you broke into our homes. that’s the law in my neighborhood too
If someone was on your property wouldnt you want to know.. so what if you cant arrest them atleast someone saw it and can prevent it from happening again… dumb c#nts
The last thing I want is an automated voice phone call every time one of my neighbors thinks they hear something.
Does anyone still text? Really?
@ reader: I am sure you have a choice whether or not to be a part of a Neighborhood Watch initiative. You can always opt out of phone alerts.
Many people still text, just received two, one from the US. I guess you use ESP
Good to see this initiative taking off. We provide a similar service in the UK called Neighbourhood Unite
I’ll never forget this old crack head lady tried to rob my house when i was home one sunny afternoon…She walked straight through the front door and I was in a bath robe…She tried to pull a dubplate, “Oh sorry does George live here?” I chased her out of my house with my rooster and beach balls swaying to and fro…
No offense Mr. minister but a lot of the Neighborhood watch groups on the island do this sort of instant messaging via e-mail or BBM already, mine certainly does i can’t see why they would pay for something that they can easily do on their own