Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 Initiative Launched

October 16, 2013

Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 has launched in four neighbourhoods: Convict Bay, Jennings Road, Georges Bay and Friswell’s Hill, Minister of Public Safety Michael Dunkley said today [Oct 16].

Minister Dunkley said “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 messages. It will provide real time communication for the residents of a neighbourhood and is another best-practice tool in the fight for safer communities.”

Bermuda Security Group’s Richard Pitcher said, “A Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 member can also alert their neighbours, by simply dialling 24-WATCH.

“Our operators, based in Bermuda, will receive the message anonymously, enter the message in to our system and with a push of button it shall be forwarded electronically to the registered neighbours via text message and voice calls to home phones and/or cell phones. Now, everyone knows exactly what’s going on and what to look out for.”

Photo: L to R: James Simmons of Convict Neighbourhood Watch, Carol Ann Griffith of Friswell’s Hill Neighbourhood Watch, Sharath Mekala of Village Defense, Minister Dunkley, Richard Pitcher, Karen Stout of Jenning’s Road Neighbourhood Watch and Wayne Edwards.

Dunkley Neighbourhood Watch

Minister Michael Dunkley’s full remarks below:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, I am joined here today by members of local Neighbourhood Watch and Community Action Groups. Also joining us are Mr. Sharath Mekala of Village Defense, and Mr. Wayne Edwards and Mr. Richard Pitcher of Bermuda Security Group who together are implementing the Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 initiative.

As I have stated in the past, 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. Cooperation, participation and partnerships are paramount for the betterment of our community.

Today we are launching Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 in four neighbourhoods: Convict Bay, Jennings Road, Georges Bay and Friswell’s Hill. These communities are a mixture of Bermuda’s best Neighbourhood Watch Groups and Community Action Groups and each are being generously sponsored by the Ministry of Public Safety, Bermuda Security Group and BAS Group of Companies.

“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 messages. It will provide real time communication for the residents of a neighbourhood and is another best-practice tool in the fight for safer communities.

Our objective is to the provide Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 to residents at no charge by launching a corporate sponsored adopt-a-neighbourhood campaign. Every Neighbourhood Watch community will be encouraged to have this service to create a network of connectivity for information sharing.

As you are aware, 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. Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 is not a replacement of the existing Neighbourhood Watch Programme but an enhancement.

I am also pleased to announce that tonight at Devonshire Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Friswells Hill United Community Group will have a special presentation by Village Defense at 730pm. The residents of Friswell’s Hill are encouraged to attend.

This event highlights the power of co-operation between community, private business, and the Government working together to build a better Bermuda through technology. I wish to thank the Bermuda Security Group and BAS for sponsoring these pilot programmes and encourage other corporate citizens to support other neighbourhoods.

Interested parties can contact me at mdunkley@gov.bm for more information. A strong community needs equally strong public participation so that it encourages the development of our youth, safer communities and healthier relationships.

Thank you.

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Bermuda Security Group’s Richard Pitcher’s full remarks below:

Thank you Honourable Minister Dunkley

We at Bermuda Security Group are delighted to be a part of Neighbourhood Watch 2.0. Our company has a long history of cooperation with both the public and private sectors to introduce new products and services.

This Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 initiative builds on the tremendous work of our residents who have formed Neighbourhood Watch groups. These men and women spend many hours organizing and maintaining their neighbourhoods with assistance from the Bermuda Police Service.

A community’s strength is directly dependent on the extent to which neighbours communicate.

Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 is an upgrade to Neighbourhood Watch by providing a real-time notifications system. Bermuda Security Group, with its overseas partner Village Defense, is delighted to provide the residents of Bermuda with this real-time alert system. Our goal is to facilitate efficient communication between neighbours, and to keep everyone informed.

You might ask, How is this accomplished?

A resident reports a suspicious activity by calling 911.

A Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 member can also alert their neighbours, by simply dialling 24-WATCH.

Our operators, based in Bermuda, will receive the message anonymously, enter the message in to our system and with a push of button it shall be forwarded electronically to the registered neighbours via text message and voice calls to home phones and/or cell phones. Now, everyone knows exactly what’s going on and what to look out for.

The service shall commence with the four neighbourhoods mentioned today and over the course of the coming months be introduced to the established Neighbourhood Watch groups throughout the island under the guidance of the Bermuda Police Service.

As indicated by the Minister of Public Safety it is our objective to deliver this system to individual members at no cost. We have commenced an adopt-a-neighbourhood campaign, whereas corporations could sponsor a group and for a contribution of $3,000.00 – 100 persons would receive the service for twelve months.

The company’s sponsorship would be communicated to the residents in two ways:

  • 1. Upon the activation of Neighbourhood Watch 2.0, the group would be welcomed by your company.
  • 2. Your corporate logo would be placed on Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 signs within the sponsored community.

Anyone interested in sponsorship can contact us at sponsors@neighbourhoodwatch20.com.
Any Neighbourhood Watch Group committee interested can communicate with their Bermuda Police Service- CAT Team Officer or contact us at registration@neighbourhoodwatch20.com.

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Comments (9)

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  1. ya right says:

    No one cares about neighborhood watch 2.0. Where are the 2000 jobs? We have people suffering right now and the most you can do as a politician making almost $200,000 a year is come up with a neighborhood watch program? I bet all six people in the picture are making 100,000 plus a year and none of them could really care about the Bermudians who are suffering.

    Maybe if our unemployment rate wasn’t so high we wouldn’t have so much crime in the first place.

  2. wellsaid says:

    I agree

  3. Fed Up says:

    Before making stupid statements why don’t you do some research, this is not a Government funded project it is private and funbded by sponsors. we need something like this in our neighbourhoods, just maybe we’ll get some of thos lunatice gun toting criminals behind bars. By the way I know three people in that picture and believe me they certainly don’t make $100,000 a year, they are concerned citizens and it would be great if there4 were some more…..

  4. ediskrap says:

    Why put neighbour hood watch in those areas? Those areas are were they live they go into other neighbourhoods to steal things

  5. Not knew says:

    Neighbourhoods watch has been around for years. It is not new only thing is back they , they called it “Pokey neighbours”. How many times did people get home to find out your momma knew what you did BEFORE you even stepped in the door?

  6. Not new says:

    Sorry typo, It should read ..back then.

  7. Y-Gurl says:

    It’s getting to the point that we all need to watch our own areas because clearly the people being paid to do it can’t or just don’t

  8. Time Shall Tell says:

    So what happened to Neighbourhood Watch 1.0??