150 Police, Stop & Search, CCTV, Checkpoints
Over the Cup Match weekend, there will be approximately 150 police officers deployed and they plan to do high visibility patrols and actively use Stop and Search powers, while roadside sobriety checkpoints will also be setup over the holiday and CCTV cameras will cover the grounds at SCC.
This is according to Minister of National Security Wayne Caines who provided an overview of the policing plan for the upcoming Cup Match holiday today in the House of Assembly today.
Minister Caines said, “The Bermuda Police Service has developed a robust policing plan in order to maintain the safety of revelers and spectators at the many events that will take place throughout the weekend
“Beginning Wednesday afternoon, the BPS will begin high visibility patrols and will actively use ‘Stop and Search’ powers.
“For the duration of the holiday weekend, there will be additional overnight watches with up to 50 police officers above standard levels to deal with any increases in illegal or antisocial activities.
“In total, there will be approximately 150 police officers deployed throughout the weekend. The men and women of the BPS will be bolstered by the Reserve Police and Royal Bermuda Regiment.
“At the Cup Match grounds, there will be up to 50 officers per day, with a command centre on site at the field. This year, for the first time, CCTV cameras will cover the grounds at SCC, with the cameras monitored by BPS and the club’s private security personnel.
“In order to combat drink driving, roadside sobriety checkpoints will be setup at strategic locations throughout the weekend. Over the next few days, in accordance with the Road Traffic [Road Sobriety Checkpoints] 2018, the location of these checkpoints will be made available to the public. The public is asked to be prepared for these stops.
“Many boats will take to the water to close out the weekend activities. In conjunction with the Regiment, the BPS will maintain high visibility with 6 vessels on continuous patrols.
“Ahead of the weekend’s events, I wish to thank all of our enforcement and emergency agencies for their tireless work. Let us all work together to make sure that the 2018 Cup Match holiday can be remembered for the many enjoyable experiences had, and is not marred by any major disturbances or road traffic incidents.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, one of Bermuda’s most anticipated holidays is quickly approaching.
Traditionally, the Cup Match Holiday weekend provides an opportunity for the island to come together to celebrate our heritage and just how far we have come as a people since slaves were emancipated in 1834.
In addition to the two days of cricket to be played at Somerset Cricket Club this year, the four day weekend provides several entertainment outlets for the enjoyment of thousands of residents and visitors.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise this Honourable House and the public that the Bermuda Police Service has developed a robust policing plan in order to maintain the safety of revelers and spectators at the many events that will take place throughout the weekend. I have met with the BPS, and can confirm that the policing plan is intelligence led, with all stakeholders working together to assess and mitigate the greatest areas of risk.
Mr. Speaker, beginning Wednesday afternoon, the BPS will begin high visibility patrols and will actively use “Stop and Search” powers.
For the duration of the holiday weekend, there will be additional overnight watches with up to 50 police officers above standard levels to deal with any increases in illegal or antisocial activities. In total, there will be approximately 150 police officers deployed throughout the weekend. The men and women of the BPS will be bolstered by the Reserve Police and Royal Bermuda Regiment.
Mr. Speaker, at the Cup Match grounds, there will be up to 50 officers per day, with a command centre on site at the field. This year, for the first time, CCTV cameras will cover the grounds at SCC, with the cameras monitored by BPS and the club’s private security personnel.
It is anticipated that this level of surveillance will allow the BPS to identify any areas of concern and quickly act to avoid escalation. I am hopeful that every individual that visits the Cup Match grounds will have an enjoyable time and act responsibly in the celebratory spirit of the Holiday.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members will know that on Emancipation Day, the first day of Cup Match, the Match is not the only place where large crowds gather. Horseshoe Bay Beach will play host to one of the busiest beach days of the year. Thirty-one officers of the BPS along with several Department of Parks Rangers will be present to maintain order. I encourage beachgoers to respect the orders of BPS and Rangers in the best interest of their own safety and the preservation of the natural beauty of our beach for all of our continued enjoyment.
The effects of underage drinking remain a major concern for the weekend. Mr. Speaker, I wish to appeal to parents and guardians of minors to do their part in preventing the consumption of alcohol underage. In addition to the increased risk of violent anti-social behavior following alcohol consumption, the heat and surf at the beach make intoxication especially dangerous. I encourage all parents and guardians to talk to their children about making responsible decisions. Adults are reminded that it is against the law to provide minors with alcohol, and are discouraged from doing so.
Mr. Speaker, in order to combat drink driving, roadside sobriety checkpoints will be setup at strategic locations throughout the weekend. Over the next few days, in accordance with the Road Traffic [Road Sobriety Checkpoints] 2018, the location of these checkpoints will be made available to the public. The public is asked to be prepared for these stops.
The best way to mitigate the inconvenience of being stopped is for the public to ensure that they do not drink and drive. If you are found to be under the influence and in control of a vehicle, you will be arrested.
On Sunday, Mr. Speaker, many boats will take to the water to close out the weekend activities. In conjunction with the Regiment, the BPS will maintain high visibility with 6 vessels on continuous patrols. Boaters are encouraged to adhere to all maritime laws and exercise courteous and responsible marine behaviour.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of National Security’s Coordinated Crisis Response Team will be activated for the holiday weekend. The Crisis Team works to restore peace in the community and assist family members, friends or witnesses in the immediate aftermath of violent incidents. The team has identified four available hubs in the western end: Agape Faith in Dockyard, Beulah Tabernacle in Somerset, and Vernon Temple AME and Southampton SDA in Southampton. In the event of a major crisis, members of the Crisis Response Team will be available at one of these locations to lend assistance to any effected members of the public.
Mr. Speaker, the Cup Match Holiday is festive period, whichever way we chose to celebrate. The Bermuda Police Service, and its partner agencies, aim to ensure that the festivities remain safe and free of anti-social behaviour. Ahead of the weekend’s events, I wish to thank all of our enforcement and emergency agencies for their tireless work. Let us all work together to make sure that the 2018 Cup Match holiday can be remembered for the many enjoyable experiences had, and is not marred by any major disturbances or road traffic incidents.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Unconstitutional’ stop and search’ tactics to continue, and with Cup match festivities kicking off today, was the 5-15 day prior notification for a sobriety checkpoint gazetted as required or has a high ranking officer used the loophole to circumvent it? There is one way in and out of the west, and every vehicle is to be stopped it is going to be a steep learning curve for the cops who were supposed to go to the UK to train first and a terrible bottleneck situation.
Your questions about the publication of the stops is a good one. Starting these sobriety checkpoints by using the weaselly loop hole is a bad idea. It’s simply going to lead, quicker, to a legal challenge to the law.
Another question that needs answering is has the Admendment itself been Gazetted. The Admendment was passed in the Senate not that long ago.
I have no problem with this. However, I urge Minister Caines to go to Front Street on a weekend night after the bars close, to Dockyard after a party ends, to Horseshoe after a set, etc. and count the taxis. Hint: you’ll on need one hand.
Sounds like those who profit handsomely ($8-$10 beers etc) from liquor sales, where many DUI crashes and fatalities can be traced, should be responsible for your transportation, or ever heard about personal responsibility? I don’t own/drive a taxi, but I feel they have the right to deny service to intoxicated people who are known for bad behavior, violence and loss of control of bodily functions. Each bar should have a drunk-tank for those who have no self control.
Then I am boycotting Cup Match and having a party at my house so my guests can crash there! To heck with spending money at Somerset Cricket Club and Risk of getting large fine after leaving the grounds! This will hurt business of Cup Match severely! Good luck Somerset! The PLP wanted to build the wall but you embarrassed then by letting Dunkley save the day and now they are coming after your bottom line by harassing your clients!
Why can’t we see this level of security on a daily basis?
Unfortunately the people who will suffer will be those of us who go out to dinner with their wives share a bottle of wine and head home.
Completely able to drive but over the ridiculous limit which determines if you are drunk.
Of course we all know that what should happen is that ALL bikes should be stopped after midnight every night….
What percentage of deaths occur on bikes after midnight as opposed to in cars prior to midnight….but this is Bermuda so we avoid the real problem and irritate the law abiding citizens!
It will definitely hurt the restaurant and bar business but the retail sales guys will love this as people will just buy alcohol and have house parties or stay at home drinking like i am doing right now!
I can’t believe someone wrote this, but it sums up a lot of irresponsible addicts’ thought processes. Don’t drive if you have been drinking, period. You sound like a repeat offender with an over inflated sense of entitlement. You actually feel that driving after a half bottle of wine, at or above the legal limit is ‘law abiding’? These stops should be designed to get people like you off the roads. Nice blameshifting attempt there, enabled by authorities who break the law by not testing every crash at the ER to compile useful statistics.
Trust me…people like me are not the ones we want off the roads….last time I checked the very sad deaths that occur on our roads occur after midnight and are bike riders….so part of what I believe is that if we were serious about solving the problem we would focus our efforts on stopping the speeding and drinking of bike riders after midnight…in addition I would support speed cameras all day……
You are obviously a serial offender with a over-inflated sense of entitlement.
Maybe but at least I am not your bit**! Pi$$ off!
*ALL bikes should be stopped after midnight every night….*
Wow , I never knew that it’s only bike riders who are DUI .
Rather than checkpoints they should have random checks determined by the police.
But of course the sensitive snowflakes won’t allow that.
I can’t believe someone wrote this, but it sums up a lot of irresponsible addicts’ thought processes. Don’t drive if you have been drinking, period. You sound like a repeat offender with an over inflated sense of entitlement. You actually feel that driving after a half bottle of wine, at or above the legal limit is ‘law abiding’? These stops should be designed to get people like you off the roads. Nice blameshifting attempt there, enabled by authorities who break the law by not testing every crash at the ER to compile useful statistics.
Bikes should be targetted from 7:00am with their complete disregard for road safety and red lights,why do I have to constantly move over to accommodate their stupidity
It is a simple fix-cameras at junctions-letters in the mail summoning you to pay your fine-no pay no TCD licence