Bermuda Day Holiday Weekend Policing
Minister of National Security Wayne Caines and police Superintendent Darren Simons today [May 23] addressed policing and public safety strategy in advance of the Bermuda Day holiday weekend.
Minister Caines said, “I am pleased to be joined by Superintendent Darren Simons, the Gold Commander who will be overseeing Bermuda’s Policing and public safety strategy over the holiday.
“In light of recent incidents that have raised concerns in our community, earlier this week I met with the Commissioner of Police, to discuss Police manpower and deployment – particularly as it relates to the Bermuda Day holiday weekend.
“Notwithstanding all of the events taking place on Bermuda Day, we are anticipating that over the weekend, there will be a significant number of activities happening, which will have full public participation.
“Today, I wish to assure the public, that this Government takes the safety and protection of its citizens extremely seriously. We will not have our National Holiday marred by the actions of those who seek to instill fear and mayhem in our community. We will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour, and bad actors will be held to account.
“In this regard, I will now share some of the steps this Government and the Bermuda Police Service are taking to ensure public safety around our Island. You will have recently heard of the BPS’s intention to have a visible and robust presence on Bermuda Day.
“The BPS will also maintain a high profile presence into the holiday weekend. They will be visible in and around the vicinity of events taking place throughout Bermuda, to ensure public safety.
“This will aid in providing a level of public reassurance and deterrence to criminal and anti-social behaviour.
“The Ministry of National Security will also deploy our community response personnel over the holiday weekend, led by our Gang Violence Reduction Team. They will be at the ready in the event that their services are needed, should any tenuous situations arise.
“Ultimately, we want to ensure that this weekend is as incident free as possible. We don’t want residents feeling anxious about engaging in holiday activities. Instead we want Bermuda to be mindful of what this holiday represents.
“Bermuda Day is a time to come together as a community and celebrate one another.
“It’s about embracing our unique heritage with family, friends and the special people we meet throughout the day.
“We want to uphold and celebrate these traditions without the concern of violence or anti-social behaviour.
“Bermuda has enjoyed a relatively peaceful period for six months, and this Government will do its part to maintain a level of peace, safety and security for all who reside in this island.
“I now invite Superintendent Darren Simons, to offer a general overview of the BPS’s planned presence for Bermuda Day and the subsequent holiday weekend.”
Detective Superintendent Darrin Simons said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] wishes to take this opportunity to advise the public on a number of matters to ensure a peaceful and safe time during this year’s Bermuda Day holiday weekend.
“The purpose of this press conference is to share the general policing plan with the community.
“Members of the public should expect a heightened police presence during the holiday weekend, with officers conducting visible patrols throughout the island and 315 F checks at various locations.
“Approximately 50 additional officers will be working each day over the holiday weekend to support the Bermuda Day activities and night time celebrations.
“Acts of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
“If you see something say something. Please call the main police telephone number 295-0011 or 911 in an emergency.
“The annual Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby will start in Somerset and finish in the City of Hamilton. The Bermuda Bicycle Association will also start their race from Somerset, and similarly it will finish in the City of Hamilton.
“As in previous years, the Bermuda Police Service and the race organisers will have officers and marshals positioned along the route. They are there to minimise risks to all road users, especially the cyclists and runners.
“We are asking the motoring public to fully cooperate with any direction given.
“We all need to do our best to ensure there are no collisions with race participants as that could lead to serious injury or death.
“On Friday, the roads along the race route will close at 8:30 in the morning.
“Therefore persons in the West End who are travelling on morning flights need to be sure they are at the airport before 8am.
“The roads will be opened when it is deemed safe and delays of up to an hour and a half or more should be expected.
“The road closures will be in effect from 8:30am until around noon. In addition:
- No traffic will be allowed to travel in either direction during the cycle race.
- No traffic will be allowed to travel in the opposite direction to the marathon runners.
Bermuda Day Parade
“The Bermuda Day parade starts at 1:30pm. Spectators should not obstruct the participants in the parade.
“Officers of the Royal Bermuda Regiment will be on hand to assist. Please make sure you comply with any of their directions.
“Start: Bernard Park [Dutton Avenue], Marsh Folly Road, Cedar Avenue, Church Street, Court Street, Front Street, Queen Street to City Hall car park.
“No parking areas will be clearly marked, and specific road closure times are contained in the gazetted notices.
Marine
“This weekend marks the unofficial start of boating season. There will also be a visible marine police presence, supplemented by the Bermuda Reserve Police.
“Members of the boating public should always exercise care and caution around other vessels and be on the lookout for swimmers. Speed is an issue not only in maritime collisions, but it also creates a general nuisance that affects boaters at anchor near the shoreline. To that end, the 5 knot – no wake zones will be strictly enforced.
“We also discourage persons from mixing any use of alcohol with power-boat operating or sailing.
Road Safety
“The motoring public should be mindful that the police will be highly visible on the roads.
“In addition to calming the roads there will be an emphasis on offences such as speeding, impaired driving and driving without due care and attention.
“Remember, road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Loud Music
“Loud music complaints both in residential neighbourhoods and on the water are a problem associated with this holiday and we accept that the celebration of Bermuda Day brings with it a party atmosphere.
“We ask a couple things of the public: patience and tolerance on the part of the persons who enjoy a more somber celebration, along with a display of respect and courtesy on the part of those who like to party hard.
“We encourage members of the communities that they live in to work together to keep the peace in the neighbourhood, in an effort to avoid the involvement of the police.
“Our final message again this year is to encourage everyone to exercise patience, tolerance and caution so that we all have a good time!
“On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, BPS staff and the Bermuda Reserve Police, I wish the entire community a pleasant, enjoyable and safe holiday weekend.”
Don’t know who wrote this crap but Wayne read it.
Gang Violence Reduction Team.
Best of luck because I have heard nothing nor read anything from people who actually plan and enforce this.
Typical PLP.
Go green….
Policing needs to be done daily, not just on an event!! Geesh
I am really curious why we do not hear these types of talks from the Governor. He is ultimately in charge of the police but reading the news on a daily bases one wouldn’t think so. Yet he sits in his tower making extremely important decisions that affect Bermuda. He needs to go and let us govern ourselves because that’s what we are basically doing now.