BBC News: Senator On Robbery Trend
[Written by Gary Moreno, Bermuda Broadcasting Co.]
Could the success of the Bermuda Police Service in reducing gang activity and open drug dealing help explain an increase in armed robberies?
It’s something Senator Jeff Baron, the Junior Minister of National Security, feels police should consider, given the recent spike in armed robberies at businesses.
Sen. Baron says one of the things that must be looked at is, “What are the unintended consequences of us being successful with certain crime management techniques?”
There have been six confirmed armed robberies at local businesses, dating back to November 15 last year when a man carrying a suspected firearm held up the Southside Pizza House.
There has been at least one every month since, with two in March this year. The most recent took place at he ‘T & L’ wholesale store on St. Johns Road in Pembroke, on March 24.
In each instance, assailants made off with unknown quantities of cash.
Note: Bernews is temporarily helping Bermuda Broadcasting Company by sharing its stories online. The station’s TV equipment is undergoing repair after being hit by lightning.
Unintended consequences.
Like when the police and customs cracked down on the BA ganja flight from Jamaica, which resulted in a relatively unknown drug, cocaine, being substituted from New York?
Prohibition is a failed model – failed in the Garden of Eden, still a failure today. These robbers could likely cultivate some nice ganja!
How about that gang that wants to legislate these F!@#ed up policies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Change the damn “rules”! Far too many are repeated offenders of various violent crimes and in most cases, they are doing these crimes.
So, “if” an individual is convicted of particular criminal act using a weapon i.e. gun or bladed or a piece of board they must be sentenced to 15 yrs. – 30 yrs. with NO time off for so called, “good behavior”
Yeah because this is north korea
No dum dum!!! Because that is the only way this nonsense will stop!!!!
No, Kangaroo Kangoocar……because the system is set up to SQUEEZE the black man…. better times are coming,DUM DUM!!!!
The system is set up to squeeze criminals so all of us are safer and have a better quality of life.
What say you now ? ?
White collar crime is just as bad, but more passive sentences.
I can’t wait for the missing COH 18 million to be located . Can you ?
Glad to see you finally express support for the Commission of Inquiry.
I’ve noticed how juries won’t convict anyone these days. I’d say the system is set up to let off the black man.
Yo don’t make this about race. Bermuda’s population has more black people so obviously majority of the crime is done by black people. No ones trying to squeeze crap from you unless you want them too. Dumba$$
..so white people don’t smoke or bring in unlawful substances??
You’re wrong Kangoon!! Do you honestly think that it will solve the problem?? Ask Singapore and Thailand how they’re making out deterring drug smugglers/dealers from importing/selling drugs with their no tolerance, DEATH PENALTY Laws…and you call others DUM DUM!!
Jeff you should keep you mouth shut you have no idea what you’re talking about. Like Raymond says Give them 15 yrs – 30 yrs with NO time off for so called, “good behavior
Then the honest hard working people can get back rebuilding Bermuda.
Totally agree with Raymond Ray. I’d even go as far as chopping (for starters) a hand off. This nonsense has got to STOP by whatever means necessary.
Do you really want to go that route, especially with the track record of the BPS? Look at the man they arrested for murder, who luckily had an alibi by means of CCTV showing him elsewhere. What if they had taken him out and hung him? We all want crime to stop, but we can’t take a ‘by all means necessary’ stance. No hand chopping in Bermuda mate!!
Garbage.
Baron has no idea. Institutional racism and slavery have done unimaginable damage to the majority race in this country. Pathways to Status was another attempt to diminish the value of their vote. Baron was probably told the effort was for human rights. The prior and current theft schemes executed by these people pale in comparison to petty theft. And yet we rise!
Baron is well dressed,handsome… how could he possibly know anything?
Well- he is a true local boy that achieved a terrific education learned plenty as a cop and achieved rank,spent time overseas learning more with the UN and broadening his mind. Continues his education,engaged in the sharp end of politics while learning more every day. Why are some so quick to discredit the strong mind of an excellent Bermudian citizen? (rhetorical question of course)
Did Baron obtain Dunkley’s permission to speak?
AS a former police officer, Jeff Baron needs to push forward the idea of po lice officers on foot and vehicle check-points at various parts of the Isla nd, i.e. Rubber Tree to PHC gas station, Camp Hill/Heron Bay shopping plaza , Paget gas station to Ice Queen, Cox,s Hill, C-Mart junction, Flatt,s Vill age, Devil,s Hole, Crawl/Shelly Bay Plaza, Wellington Play-ground area. In terms of funding, if they can raise the tax on cars, and cigarettes, etc. etc they can find money for police. If some-one flashed their car lights at me while I was driving, that is a usual indication that there is radar in operation, same way cell phones will say police are on foot,thus folks up to no good have to think harder and change their plans. If six police officers man a checkpoint at Somer set Bridge for one hour, and a further six do the same at the Warwick Post office area it might yield some interesting finds as well as tell the neighborhood we are here to serve.
What are they going to do on FOOT when these thugs have transportation? What are the police going to do when they are unarmed and these thugs have weapons? How much man power and funding does the police have to setup checkpoints at these locations EVERY/all day? These thugs will wait for days when there are no checkpoints!!
Did this guy just say BPS success in stopping open air drug dealing?!?!
Been to court street lately Baron? BPS can’t even stop open air drug consuming, let alone dealing. Got people buying crack and smoking in broad daylight.
Baron is a joke. Get out of your fancy car and see the real streets mate.
Gang problem isn’t getting better, shootings may be down but there are more guns and more little KIDS ready to use them.
Your right Bps. Had no roll in stopping open air drug dealing, once the shootings started most drug dealers had to come off the corner for their safety. Also before businesses were being robbed dealers were getting robbed too so dealing went more underground.
Robin where is Batman
Hiding in his Man Cave……………………………..
Dear Senator,
Although we know you must follow Party line before speaking (since you were unelected) what type of work you going to do after this here when OBA is removed?
You considered modelling? as you take a good photo Bie
Scientist is running.
Needs a job.
Fools you lot are.
No opportunities for Bermudians expect more Bermudians to put food on our tables somehow. Bosses need to hire Bermudians first
I can see no one here has been deprived of their liberties by any of these scum sucking generic inbred punks…All I can do is hope and pray that YOU are next to experience it…and remember don’t call for help ok! Coz we don’t care.
Unfortunately the Senator is working with what the Police executive report to him. If it’s garbage then blame the source. The issue is the police are short staffed at the operational level with a shift system that requires improvement.
Where is that review that is long overdue. Governor and Government amend the law so that when the HMIC comes and points out critical issues that the police are obligated to address them. None of these recommendations that are delayed for years upon years. All senior officers driving around in cars and the operational officers don’t have enough to go out in.
just another face in the crowd – given Mr Baron’s photo to this story
I just listened to your “jibber jabber” response to the question.
You previously stated that you knew of specific methods that would bring some solutions to these issues.
promises, promises, promises.
The stats are trending up and as a matter of fact it’s getting worse.
An amateur (or so called expert) who does not know what to do !!!
What is the solution ?
I’ll suggest one – providing gameful employment to our members of this society who do not have one. (there are too many currently in this category who just need a chance or an opportunity from an employer.)
Sir Isaac Newtons’ 1st law of Thermodynamics is a must read Baron the naïveté and lack of foresight in no excuse for your administrations poor planning.This conversation I had with someone more then 30 years ago if you take away the weed sales other more violent crime will increase exponentially.I abhor what I am witnessing in this island but I am not surprised one bit.