PLP On CCTV: “Nothing Short of Incompetent”
“Minister Dunkley’s handling of the CCTV system has been nothing short of incompetent and has jeopardized the safety of countless Bermudians,” Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Scott said last night.
The new 150 camera island-wide system was supposed to be operational as of April 1st, but has been delayed. The service was previously provided by GET Securities Ltd, however last year National Security Minister Michael Dunkley announced that BAS/Serco was the selected vendor to provide the expansion of CCTV, with the 5-year contract costing $1.3 million per year.
Yesterday Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva said that after an “unfortunate slow start” to the CCTV expansion project, “significant progress has now been made.”
Mr. DeSilva said the service provider is restoring service to the priority areas that were covered prior to 1st April, and that work is “substantially complete.”
He said coverage is resuming in the areas of: Friswell’s Hill, St. Monica’s Road, Parsons Road, North and South Roundabout, Barnes Corner and Paget Lights, and includes an expansion eastwards at Tee Street and South Road.
The Commissioner also added that the service provider has obtained all the required Immigration approvals for their overseas expertise to arrive in Bermuda before the end of the month, and these technicians will install the communications backbone of the CCTV project.
In a statement issued last night, Mr. Scott said, “Minister Dunkley’s handling of the CCTV system has been nothing short of incompetent and has jeopardized the safety of countless Bermudians.
“The CCTV system left in place by the PLP was working; criminals were being captured and convicted while many neighbourhoods had begun to emerge from the siege like conditions that criminals and gun violence had placed them under.
“While we acknowledge the band aid approach taken by Minister Dunkley, this would not have been necessary if the company he supported, BAS/Serco was up to the task from the start.
“This begs the question: Why did the OBA strip the CCTV contract from a Bermudian company with a proven record of success and hand tax dollars to an entity that was unable to deliver on day one for the people of Bermuda?
“Regardless, it is always disturbing when a Minister, not only displays incompetence but tries to shift responsibility and blame to others as Minister Dunkley has done in this instance,” concluded Mr. Scott.
Speaking previously, Minister Dunkley said, “This service provider was selected after a very rigorous procurement process led by the Bermuda Police Service and the Procurement Office.
“The expansion of the CCTV network is an important and detailed project that provides an effective tool for law enforcement and I know how important it is to the safety and security of the Island generally and some neighbourhoods in particular.
“I have discussed the status of the project with the Commissioner today and recognize that the Police will do what is necessary to supplement this gap in CCTV coverage,” added the Minister.
“Separately, I wish to assure the community that this Government will not jeopardize the solid progress made in crime prevention and investigation by the Police. We work with the Police to make Bermuda safer and in this instance I support the Commissioner’s efforts to advance this project.”
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I smell a rat. The police chief and the Minister seems to always be quick to point out their positives and involve the media. Why not allow the media access to the CCTV rooms and let them report first hand what they in counter. This vagueness stinks of a cover up. At the end of the day taxpayers money is being used to fund this disaster. Come clean and show the taxpayer what is really going on.
If only you knew how bad it was before with GET Security and wish you cared about it then.
This was done by the Government procurement office and the Police service so the PLP are attacking the wrong person.
I know the PLP are used to political interference in government contracts but that’s not how it’s supposed to be.
You every heard the saying “Don’t throw stones in glass houses” Reason behind the statement is as follows.
1. How many of the existing cameras on the G.E.T system were working. It’s not in double digits that’s for sure?
2. Who from the PLP has a financial stake in G.E.T?
3. If the G.E.T contract was renewed would the PLP be making all this noise?
1. NO one from PLP has a stake in G.E.T. just do your homework
2. cameras was a test program that was not paid for by no one for three years, just do your homework
3. Contract, how dose a cleaning company be awarded a security contract. go figure
4. how many cameras was working? All cameras were working, a wireless connection fault to two links. just do your homework now that the truth lol
Gotta side with the PLP on this one – if anyone knows incompetence, it’s the PLP.
Absolutely, except it is Scott who is the idiot here.
Stop rubbin’ salt into their wounds bie’
Though you are correct in stating, “if anyone knows incompetence, it’s the P.L.P.” 
One can argue the same for the last 5 years of the PLP’s reign as being “nothing short of incompetent”. No one person or administration is perfect but please don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house.
Michael “No Memory” Scott talking about “jeopardizing the safety of countless Bermudians”. What were the gun/murder stats under the PLP again?
I appreciate you starting my morning off with a laugh. About the only thing you’re good for.
Shut up
this is an issue with the civil service, not the government. They are the one who implement the governments wishes so speak to the procurement office
What is the maintenance plan? I hope there is one and they not going to let everything rot away in a few years. I hope this is hi tech backbone is nothing less than the new wireless technology that spans over 60 Miles. If it is less than that then it is garbage. You must always thing of multi-purpose to make thing more worthwhile. The 60 wireless Tech will improve the Gov Network by leaps and bounds and it will allow for even more implementations that the public and visitors will love
What I want to know is, what did bas/serco do in the interim period from the time they where awarded the contract to April 1 to prepare for the take over? It appears like they did nothing!! It begs the question, are they compentent enough to handle this project? Why did they wait till after the start date to seek immigration approval to bring in a technician to set the system up? Um just asking…..things that make u go umm..
They had no security department or money and had to start from scratch.
PLP On CCTV: “Nothing Short of Incompetent”
And the PLP know a little something about incompetence.
Hmm… from this issue, the beach contamination, JetGate etc., etc., etc., it appears to me that the OBA know a lot more about incompetence than the PLP. Just saying…
Well, sure! If you list all the molehills you and yours made mountains of!
The PLP shouting “incompetence”? That’s really funny. They were/are masters of incompetence.
“many neighbourhoods had begun to emerge from the siege like conditions that criminals and gun violence had placed them under …”
Mr. Scott forgot to add this to his above remark “… as a direct result of the incompetency of the PLP and their go soft approach and attitude towards criminals during their time in Government.”
Amazing how certain fervent supporters and spokespeople for the PLP have such selective memories and blind spots when it comes to honestly discussing the genesis of our current social and economic ills.
BAS / SERCO
Pushing steps to aircraft and cleaning the toilets onboard…FAILED
Simple facility maintenance at the BNTB branches…FAILED
Proper weather forecasting…FAILED
Install camera network…FAILED
Looks like a pattern to me
You need to know that BAS has not pushed steps to aircraft or cleaned toilets on aircraft for the last 3 years. So give yourself a failing grade for having done little to no research on what you are talking about.
Haven’t made an intelligent business decision in about 10 years. Who would buy a building in the middle of a lake and sell a diamond(monopoly on private jets) to buy a piece of coal (CCTV) BAS. Sad days.
Dufus..I never put a timeline on their catalogue of failures, just highlighted the facts
BAS/Serco have NO Security or Police Related Experience..WRONG Firm to have been given the contract..
Their ops at the Airport are a complete failure,the transport they have are all rusting away.
PLP On CCTV: “Nothing Short of Incompetent” YAWN.
Well if there’s a Political Party and their hacks who know anything about incompetence its certainly the PLP!!
With their numerous blunders while in Govt you would have to agree that they turned incompetence into a new artform!!
Next!!! (Policeman to onlookers) “…Move along please, nothing to see here”.
Speaking of gun play; if was the police and even a PLP politician that claim that there were no gangs in Bermuda? When former PLP premier Browne wanted to bring in gang experts from America; namely police advise; everybody panic and the British governor on the hill vetoed the whole idea not wanting to see American intervention in it’s remaining jewel in the crown. Now the OBA government; the police and the governor who is suppose to be the head of the police which the people of Bermuda pay for are either passing the buck or are silent on the whole issue.