Video: Police Respond To Tint/Car Impound Post
[Updated] The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] is holding a press conference this afternoon [Jan 4] and we will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.
Update: The police press conference followed after a social media post which alleged that a woman — who had her baby in the car with her — was pulled over by the police, who impounded her car due to her tint being too dark, with the post alleging that the police left the woman and baby on the side of the road.
In response today, Acting Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons said that once it was determined that the vehicle would be impounded, officers offered to provide transport to the occupants and they “made every effort to assist the young couple and their infant, but that assistance was repeatedly declined.”
Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 10-minute replay is below
The Acting Commissioner said, “The officers observed that the vehicle’s tint was particularly dark as they were unable to see the occupants inside the vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle on Middle Road,” he said. They “spoke with a male driver and female passenger. Also inside the vehicle was a young child.
“An officer informed the driver of their observations and the associated offense. While the driver was questioned about the vehicle, the female passenger replied by cutting him off and saying, ‘Yes, the car’s tint is illegal. We’ll be taking it off in March before we go back to TCD.’
“During my review of the body worn video, the female also gave an indication that she’d previously been warned and asked why the same thing couldn’t be done again, or just be given some tickets. The vehicle was impounded and transported to police impound to be examined by TCD officials. Once it was determined that the vehicle would be impounded, officers offered to provide transport to the occupants of the vehicle. They refused on the grounds that they were unwilling to sit with their baby in the canine vehicle.
“Later an offer was made to give them a lift in an unmarked police car. That offer was also refused. An officer decided to wait with the family while they attempted to secure their own transport. However, as the scenario played out, the officer became concerned that her presence may in fact be aggravating the situation and left.
“I have reviewed the body worn video of this incident. I am satisfied that our officers handled themselves professionally, courteously and empathetically in dealing with this matter. I am satisfied that having regard for the totality of the circumstances, the decision to impound the vehicle was appropriate in the circumstances. I am satisfied that officers made every effort to assist the young couple and their infant, but that assistance was repeatedly declined.
“To be clear, our officers did not abandon the family at the side of the road and despite the male driver of the vehicle being opposed to it, an officer remained with them trying to provide assistance. In fact, the female passenger remarked to her male companion, ‘She’s trying to help us.’
“Policing is challenging, policing is complex and I wish to reassure the community that we are committed to making Bermuda safer and that we remain prepared to assist them at all times.”
Always 3 sides to a story, yours mine and the truth.
How you like me now
This press conference is greatly appreciated, due to the fact that the information on social media does not give clarification on the whole truth, social media made it sound as if it was a young mother alone with her child, says nothing about a male driver, it says nothing about the car owners was warned previous, so because it was all caught on the police cam, we would need to apologize to the Bermuda Police Service and the officers in question.
This was a straightforward situation that got out of hand on social media because the full truth was not given, so after hearing the full press conference, I think we really need to give credit to the officers, for even staying with the occupants and doing everything within their powers to make sure they car occupants were not left stranded, posting it on social media has actually made it worse for themselves as the occupants of the car.
I am sure the public are grateful to hear now the side of the officers and the Bermuda Police Service.
I think there is more to it. Police saying owners were warned previous is easy to say, but no evidence. Anyway, if she was warned, they should go to her house, not leave her with the baby in the dark. Plenty of more humane ways to deal with somebody breaking a simple rule. She should have said boyfriend was there (instead of not mentioning it), but wouldn’t expect somebody to put a baby in with a dog. Would love to see the footage offering a lift home too, easy to say that offer was made in a press conference.
Another lesson here is not to admit wrong-doing to the police and expect them to be human about it. Sounds like she fessed up and said she’d fix it, but they took that as a right to make life as hard as possible. Not sure what ‘not forthcoming with information about the child’ means. I drove past and it was a tiny baby, but couldn’t miss it screaming the street down. I feel sorry for all three of them, this could have been handled way differently.
“Police saying owners were warned previous is easy to say,”
No, the girl admitted she had been warned previously.
“not leave her with the baby in the dark”
The Police offered the girl a ride several times. Either the girl or her companion (or both) would not take up that offer, as is their right.
“Another lesson here is not to admit wrong-doing to the police and expect them to be human about it.”
Umm, I’m not sure we watched the same video
To avoid any situations like this…make sure your tint is legal. Pretty simple.
And your license plate is compliant.
The usual ‘beat the system’. Take off the tint for TCD and put it back on after the vehicle is passed.
Police made the right decision – impound the vehicle. Government should make it mandatory that the vehicle be kept for 6 months!
Impounded the car for tinted windows!!! I’ve known a few persons who where ticketed for tinted windows, ticketed at the scene, and as appropriate fined. They were also ordered to address the issue asap. Seems a bit ectra that the car was impounded for TCD officials to re-examine. What was this for..for the TCD officials to reconfirm to the occupants what they were already advised at the scene… ..illegal tinting! What was the real reason for the extra drama! That seems to be missing in the Press Conference!
Umm, no… you missed the part where the woman admitted this wasn’t the 1st time they’d been caught. “During my review of the body worn video, the female also gave an indication that she’d previously been warned and asked why the same thing couldn’t be done again, or just be given some tickets.”
How many chances do you think they should get before their car got impounded?
So , the other side comes out .
This clearly sounds like a case where a woman with a loud mouth knowing her vehicle was not TCD ‘legal’ made her own bed hard but doesn’t want to lay in it and instead play victim.
Incidentally , I notice that the obviously dark and illegal tints are nowhere as common now as they were a few years ago. And that’s safer for all road users if we can see that the drivers have looked in our direction and seen us.
Now, can we do something with all of the blatantly illegal and deliberately illegible license plates ?
Funny how the cars of drunk drivers are not impounded, and while we are on the subject, how many DUI arrests were made over christmas?
So what do the police do with them Sage.
Leave the keys in them where they are.
Idiot.
They said previously that they do not impound cars of people arrested for DUI, ask them yourself genius.
What is the definition of ‘impound’ in this case that you’re looking for ?
If someone is stopped under the suspicion of DUI and they fail an on the spot alco analyzer test they certainly are not allowed to continue on their way. If there is suspicion but no on the spot test equipment they’re taken (by the police) to a station for testing.
Or are you questioning if after conviction the car is impounded ?
When the driver is incapable and dangerous, they arrest the driver. When the car is dangerous, they impound the car.
Why is this difficult to understand? It’s pretty simple.
Don’t pay him any mind . It’s all part of his endless quest to get herb fully legalized without any restrictions. He’ll bring alcohol into ANY discussion ANYWHERE and make villains out of anyone who has even a sip.
Tint makes a car dangerous?
I can’t believe you’re even saying this.
smh
Every village has one. And here you are.
Wait, you all are still getting your ‘news’ from social media?
Police doing their job.
On another note.This for the legislature.Why are dark visor helmets still allowed to be imported???.Make one wonder.Dark tint on car windows illegal.
Dark visors on helmets can’t identify rider or passenger.Zoom zoom zoom.