CURB “Dismayed” About BPS Stop And Search
“While CURB welcomes efforts to prevent and solve crime, we are dismayed that the Bermuda Police Service has yet again resorted to using a tried and proven ineffective method of policing – Stop and Search,” CURB said, adding that it “results in racial profiling.”
CURB’s statement follows after the police said that “the general public can expect high visibility policing patrols and should not be surprised if stop and search powers are used” during the press conference following the shooting on Front Street.
A spokesperson said, “While CURB welcomes efforts to prevent and solve crime, we are dismayed that the Bermuda Police Service has yet again resorted to using a tried and proven ineffective method of policing – Stop and Search.
“Stop and Search particularly as allowed under Section 315F of the Criminal Code, i.e. without probable cause, is a knee-jerk reaction to policing, and has virtually no bearing on preventing and solving crime.
“With Bermuda at number 15 in the world ranking of states most heavily policed, it may be time for the Bermuda Police Service to revisit strategy.
“The recent announcement that additional police were on the beat this holiday weekend is welcomed, as more police on the beat is a proven deterrent to crime, unlike stop and search, and the community feels safer. But the fact it was 50 additional police is indicative of its excessive numbers.
“A recent [2017] UK study carried out over a decade concluded that ‘higher rates of stop and search [under any power] were associated with very slightly lower than expected rates of crime in the following week or month.’
“The study went on to say that ‘it was estimated that, if total searches were 10 per cent higher in week/month one in an average borough, total crime on that borough would have been 0.1 per cent lower in week two and 0.3 per cent lower in month two.’
“In other words, Stop and Search practices had virtually no impact on the incidences of crime, something that CURB highlighted in a Centre for Justice forum some years back.
“When Stop and Search numbers in Bermuda reached more than 17,000 in 2011, the highest rate per capita that we could find at the time for any Westernised, not-engaged-in-war country, CURB campaigned heavily for the removal of Section 315F of the Criminal Code, the same draconian section that the Police indicated they would be using on the public now.
“The number of Stop and Search is now down to 1,100 per annum with crime decreasing, if Stop and Search was an effective tool then crime should have theoretically gone up, when in fact the opposite has happened. [2016 is the last year for which data is available. Perhaps the Police can indeed provide a service and assign some of those excess officers to updating and maintaining rather basic crime data.]
“We reiterate our position that Stop and Search using Section 315F is excessive and unnecessary and results in racial profiling. Police have sufficient powers under the 2006 PACE Act, which makes provision for Stop and Search with probable cause.
“Considering the number of complaints CURB received about Stop and Search in 2011, and the ill-will and alienation that this caused in the community, CURB will consider the revival of its campaign against Section 315F. “
Got stopped twice in the last 72 hours, once walking on Reid St and other driving leaving town. Both late at night I welcome it. I have done nothing wrong. I feel safe with more police.
So true . When I get pulled over I actually have the license ready to go before I’ve even come to a stop . A pleasant ‘good morning ‘ or ‘good afternoon’ with attitude free tone and body language and the result is always the same .
‘Oh , it’s you Toodle-oo , it’s OK , off you go ‘
They dont pull you over, you dont fit de discription, only us who fit de discription are effected.
But on de upside when we get stopped by police, we dont have to worry about getting shot.
Well what do you expect oj? The reason they r even increasing stop and search is because of gun crime. Uh what are u missing here. You say it all the time. U guys are the majority. Naturally more of you will be stopped. Would it be fair for you if only white people are stopped and searched? Dammed if you do dammed if you dont i guess huh?
If only you ‘who fit de discription’ are pulled over then someone needs to start acting in such a way so there is no longer ‘any description’ eh ?
Actually I was pulled over over the holidays and around 3 months ago at Barnes Corner.
Sorry to contradict the narrative.
In de 80′s our certain type of friends used to give us their money to get smoke because they were scared to go in those areas, we meet them give it to them, they ride without being stopped but we got stopped, then meet them when we get back.
Those were the days.
There were no shootings back then but stop and search was a regular, thanks to our friends who were the decoys some of us are STOP LIST FREE.
Why is a useless group [curb] getting involved in Police matters
Just stick to your useless meetings
It’s better to be safe than sorry, cmp!!!
We get involved because of racial profiling, which is documented.
Lynne, what is the ‘racial’ demographic of those young men who have been victims of violence over the past 10 years in Bermuda? Please do tell. Other than complain about over-reaching police powers and imagined racism and so called white privelage, what exactly is CURB doing to ‘curb’ violence committed against (almost 100%) young men of ‘colour’ as you say. Fancy an endorsement of the Irritated Genie again?
What is de racial demographic of those on de Stop List for 30 years when there was no gun activity?
No idea. The stop list is nothing to do with it. Get a grip. A famous grip.
Again. More of you guys oj. So naturally it wont be even. Cmon man. Its called statistics
CURB take it easy. Stop and search is for a very important cause. Can’t you not see what’s going on in this country? Your definitely not speaking on my behalf. It the popo pull me over for a stop and search, I have nothing to hide. And if I’m packing, it’s groceries…
It’s very clear you have purposely altered your grammar and language in order to appear to be someone you’re not. try better next time
So that means all you young Black men who are not into this madness, dont ride with controlled substance, you might end up on de Stop List.
We are not against S&S per se, we are against it without probable cause. The PACE Act has a S&S provision but it requires probable cause.
Lynne, please tell us what section of PACE to which you are referring? As irrelevant as your rebuttal is.
Thanks CURB – Don’t give up your rights people; even law abiding citizens. There are people that will gladly exploit every inch you give them and you will not get your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness back.
Does ‘not giving up rights’ include the right to marry? Or are you just protecting the rights of criminals today?
Thank you CURB! I guarantee the haters are all UNAFFECTED by stop and searches!
If u arent carrying then yes, you will be unaffected.
I saw this in los angles when operation hammer took place, people when complaining when It was going done, the city paused it and when the city went buck wild again, the same people were asking for the operation to continue
Who is CURB?
They are a little known group who try to stay relevant by inciting racial discourse where it is not warranted in this case they are accusing police of profiling. One wonders whether they are truly concerned about people’s rights or if they have a hidden agenda rooted in politics and winning at any cost. They use words like “dismayed” to impress those who are prone to being impressed.
Please BPS do not stop the good work, if people have nothing to hide they have nothing to fear.
In 2011 over 17,000 S&S were carried out. Given that there is barely 40,000 adults in the country that is a huge figure. Imagine if those figures were translated into U.K. numbers. Predominantly it was people of colour who were stopped, something like 96%.
CURB received reports of black individuals being stopped up to 9 times in a year, all without probable cause. That’s racial profiling.
What race has predominantly been victims of the gang violence? What race has been predominantly the perpetrators of this violence??? Lynne, you are simply not helping anything. Your virtue signaling is simply not helping.
Is it not also unconstitutional as people claim random roadside sobriety stops would be?
Considering that bermuda blacks are the only ones that have been committing the suicide since it started in may of 2009 (when I talk about committing suicide, I’m talking about a people killing itself)
Who do you think the police are going to stop, the Filipinos????
No, it’s not racial profiling. It’s stopping the people they know are involved in gangs. They’re the poor babies being stopped multiple times.
Calling it ‘racial profiling’ completely mischaracterises what is really behind it.
If nothing were being done you would complain that police resources are not being used to prevent black on black crime.
The individuals getting stopped nine times are very likely known to the police for something other than being black I am pretty sure of that! Also the majority of our police are black themselves so what are you trying to say exactly? Where are your good values when black members of the OBA are labeled as surrogates? Does curb cherry pick what they deem racist? Your group is shallow and blatantly political so give me a break.
Committee to Unravel & Ruin Bermuda
Any society that will give up a little liberty to gain a little security
will deserve neither and lose both.
Benjamin Franklin
I believe the Quote should read “Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Source: Wikiquote: List of misquotations.
Benjamin Franklin is not in bda to deal with its gang violence when it breaks loose. IS HE?????
So you don’t believe in locking your front door then?
I don’t believe police should have the right to stop and search people without reason.
Go away CURB……nobody cares about what you have to say.
So, how does racial profiling work when we have a population that’s, what, 70%-75% black? The answer is it doesn’t.
CURB, once again, showing how they continue to be utterly irrelevant. Just looking for something to moan about.
I remember this quote from an old prominent Black Bermudian ” Sometimes you have to be racial, in order to appear not to be racial”
When one considers how we Bermudians tend to view issues through a racial lens,I can see problems looming on the horizon.
Good luck to the BPS.
Well they have been doing it for decades under the misuse of drugs act, who cares it’s ‘drugs’, only drunk driving is protected.
Our population is approx. 50/50% Black white when you include expats. The BPS stats themselves showed back in 2011 that the vast majority of S&S were carried out against people of colour, something like 96%.
Please Lynne, do tell me the race of both the victims of the violence that brought about 315F and the perpetrators of this violence? 315F is search in anticipation of violence. I would say, it has been aimed exactly where it should be.
I think your fudging that 50/50 number to try and make a false point.
I can assure you that every time I’m out and about on the roads (which is where S&S happens) the ratio of road users is very , very far from 50/50 racially.
Lynne, since you have all the stats, please inform us of the demographic that is responsible for the majority of the firearm related deaths and injuries. I await your response…..
Oh now its 50/50 huh? What a load. So when it suits your agenda its 50/50 but when it comes to things like an airport its majority rules with the 85% people of color stat? Smh.
So why isn’t 50% of the government white? And why aren’t 50% of public employees white?
you have nothing to fear from stop and search unless u up to no good in any manner !
These hype-artists need to stop doing this because it causes racial tension and is not true. If it is night time, how can the officer even see what the person’s race is under a helmet or in a car in the dark? I’ve been through some and I know they are random. I see young black men and old white women and everyone inbetween. So stop making hype to get attention and stir up trouble.
I agree that stop and search isn’t effective. But disagree that it leads to racial profiling in Bermuda – for the soul fact that majority of the population in Bermuda is BLACK. How can this be so?
Well unfortunately the majority of violent crimes are committed by young black men so it makes sense to stop and search young black males. If they were to stop and search white men and black men for that matter dressed in business suits it would be ridiculous. Instead of blaming the police for racial profiling why not address your grievances to the young black males giving all a bad name and rep.
I’m blonde and blue eyed, have been stopped twice in the last 10 days, doesn’t bother me in the slightest seeing the police do their job.
CURB is not ‘dismayed’ at you being stopped and searched twice. That’s perfectly ok with them.
In the eyes of that merry band of SJW’s – CURB, everything is racist. What tiny bit of credibility they had evaporated when they promoted and advertised the Irritated Genie when he gave his ‘talk’ here that blamed white people for just about every ill in today’s society.
Of note, the link regarding Bermuda being the 15th most heavily policed ‘states’, does not provide any proof of that claim. The link to the UK ‘study’ also does not direct me to the actual study. CURB is full of virtue signallers who see racism, oppression, tyranny and heavy-handed policing everywhere in Bermuda.
From CURB:
“The number of Stop and Search is now down to 1,100 per annum with crime decreasing, if Stop and Search was an effective tool then crime should have theoretically gone up, when in fact the opposite has happened. [2016 is the last year for which data is available. Perhaps the Police can indeed provide a service and assign some of those excess officers to updating and maintaining rather basic crime data.]”
CURB refuse to accept that there are many ‘tools’ used by Police in order to reduce crime and make Bermuda safer, use of Stop and Search is one such tool.
CURB refers to the number of complaints they received regarding Stop Search in 2011 – what exactly are those numbers and do they not have any more recent stats? Only asking as you decried the police and their 2016 statitstics.
“With Bermuda at number 15 in the world ranking of states most heavily policed, it may be time for the Bermuda Police Service to revisit strategy.
“The recent announcement that additional police were on the beat this holiday weekend is welcomed, as more police on the beat is a proven deterrent to crime, unlike stop and search, and the community feels safer. But the fact it was 50 additional police is indicative of its excessive numbers”.
Thanks for pointing that out CURB. Yet the police get more and more budget money yearly, pay no health insurance,unlimited sick leave, extensive overtime yet resort to reactive policing. CURB is right in that better management of police is more effective that SS.
Following the tragic case of the young Bermudian in the UK, it was reported that the UK police were increasing their stop and searches…. If it’s that ineffective, why are they doing it?
CURB ‘Dismayed’ at Stop and Search??? Has CURB ever been dismayed at the ten years where young men – All of whom were black or of mixed race, were killed by other black young men?
I have been stopped 3 times in 40+years all by West Indian cops
Profiling?
What is curb saying about our 15 year old killed in the uk and the police are doing stop and search?
Go away curb you are irrelevant
I guess all of you all who are against this minor version of operation hammer, think that praying the problem away is the way.
NEWSFLASH, bda’s men of god did such on may 9th and what happened the next week — the fighting broke out on reid street & followed by somebody firing a shot into docksider’s
So what did you expect to happen
Let me get this straight, the police, who are for the most part black, in a country with a 99.9% black government, are unfairly racially profiling innocent young black males?
Good grief.
CURB who are you pandering to? You create an imaginary problem – 315F ‘UNFAIRLY’ targets people of colour only to try and justify your existence. People of colour are the victims of violent crime far more often than whites. Please, without relying on broken links to UK web pages, explain how 315F makes the life of a young black male unsafe??? You remind me of Rachel Dolezal, who faked racist attacks when she took over the president of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP in 2014. All of a sudden ‘racist’ incidents against the NAACP skyrocketed – create a problem to justify your existence?? Lynne, 315F isn’t killing young black men – other young black men are.
Yo I don’t totally agree with the stop and search situatin, but if your license is valid and your sober driving what is the problem.? Who cares if ur being racially profiled or not. Are u legally permitted to be driving ? Bermuda police needs to get wit the program. Bermuda is tooo small for search and road blocks .. but certain times of the year and events that take place a road block seems essential. It’s seems like that roads out there are seriously dangerous with all the accidents and drunk driving going on. New recent videos and pictures everyday of an “accident “ are circulating, and they are increasing, most of these cases are avoidable accidents or caused by intoxicated drivers. .. drunk driving needs to penialized and violent crimes should hold the highest level of punishment period.