Police Working With Partners For New Year’s
The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] will be working alongside their community partners, sports clubs, venues, and event organisers “to reduce harm and to discourage anti-social behaviour this New Year’s holiday.”
A police spokesperson said, “In light of the numerous social events due to take place over the next two days, The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] will be working alongside their community partners, sports clubs, venues, and event organisers to reduce harm and to discourage anti-social behaviour this New Year’s holiday.
“The BPS will be working closely with the Bermuda Football Association [BFA] Security Committee to provide a robust police presence in tandem with an increased security presence at the Somerset Cricket Club on New Year’s day for the Friendship Cup and Shield final matches in light of heightened community tensions and in response to recent acts of violence.
“Assistant Commissioner of Police [ACOP] Martin Weekes and Mr. Lyndon Raynor, who heads up the Bermuda Football Association’s Security Committee, stated there will be a zero tolerance approach taken to anti-social behaviour at the ground during the games and at the post game festivities.”
ACOP Weekes said, “The public should be aware that Police Road Checks will be in place to prevent violence at the various venues throughout the holiday. These will be coupled with ongoing Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints in the areas of bars and clubs where it has been identified that offences of drink driving may take place.
“So we encourage everyone to consider whether it is worth the risk and if you are going to drink, do not drive. Have a designated driver, arrange a taxi or make any other necessary arrangements to ensure you get home safely, if you intend to consume alcohol. We have already seen evidence that Roadside Testing is changing the culture of drinking and driving in Bermuda and is making our roads safer.
“We urge everyone to do their part to reduce accidents and unnecessary death and injury on our roads.
“While the light show being put on by the Corporation of Hamilton is a family oriented event, as is the dropping of the onion in St. George’s, there will be a highly visible police presence at both these events to minimise harm and to prevent anti-social behaviour.
“On behalf of all the members of the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Reserve Police and our community partners, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy new year as we seek to build on the partnerships and good relationships formed with the wider community in 2019 to achieve even greater success in making Bermuda safer in 2020.”
