Bermuda Day Holiday Weekend Policing
The “public should expect a heightened police presence during the holiday weekend, with officers conducting visible patrols throughout the island,” the police said today, speaking in advance of the upcoming Bermuda Day holiday weekend.
Acting Superintendent Tracy Adams said, “Good Morning. 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 St. George’s and finish in the City of Hamilton. The Bermuda Bicycle Association will also start the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race from St. George’s, 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 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.
“This year, the parade will start on Front Street near Albuoy’s Point – with parade participants travelling along Front Street, up Court Street, left on Church Street and down Cedar Avenue – concluding in the Marsh Folly Road/Dutton Avenue area.
“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, driving without due care and attention and impaired driving – with road sobriety checkpoints in effect in Hamilton parish, Devonshire, Pembroke, Paget, Warwick and Southampton from Thursday, May 23rd through Sunday, May 26th.
“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.”
