Column: MP King On Crimes, Justice & More
[Opinion column written by MP Robert King]
This island is in crisis because this government has not taken its responsibility to protect children, women and the vulnerable persons in this community from violence and injury suffered due to persons who choose to hurt people.
Dangerous driving behaviour, including drinking and driving on our roads, has become the norm.
The increased number of accidents and injuries road users and pedestrians have suffered could be reduced with increased police presence, harsher penalties in the courts and unannounced roadside sobriety tests.
This government cannot abdicate its responsibility to the youth in this island. There have been numerous videos circulating about school children at school and in the community committing serious acts of violence. These same youth are at risk of becoming gang involved and some may currently be associated with gangs.
We have a gang czar, a violence reduction strategy and a Minister of National Security who says this government is doing its best to reduce the numbers of murders, yet they continue to rise. There are currently 35 unsolved murders in this 21 square mile island.
Where is the sense of urgency to dispense justice to put persons on notice that if you take a life you will be held to account and you will pay the price? There is none. This government appears as if it has become desensitised to the deaths of young Bermudians due to murders associated with gang involvement and dangerous driving habits to include drunk driving offences.
The sound of ambulance sirens has become all to commonplace.
We are a small island that is rapidly losing its soul because of a government that says it cares about Bermudians but does not do anything meaningful to make this community safer. It’s never going to be “fairer” if this island is not made safer, because it is Bermudians who are paying the price under a government that says it represents them.
On October 27, 2024, 17-year-old Ethan Arruda was stabbed to death whilst at a party when criminals were in the process of robbing him for his chain. Between 50 and 100 people were at the party and to date the police have no suspects.
A culture has taken root and spread like cancer, the where loyalty is respected over honesty; where snitching is viewed as being a greater crime than murder has become the norm. This is not normal. This is not a “fairer Bermuda.”
On January 30, 2025 a convicted sexual offender whose crime was against a child had his conviction overturned because the perpetrator did not get a fair trial in a reasonable time – the trial took 21 months. In 2020 a man who was found guilty of sex offences against a child under the age of 14, had his conviction overturned in 2020 owing to delays with his trial which took almost 2 years. Tell the victims and their families about your “fairer” Bermuda where the system as it currently operates protects the persons who cause harm and kill.
On March 14 this year, a man was convicted for possession of a loaded firearm, bladed article and resisting arrest received 14 years’ imprisonment.
How does this person receive a reduction in sentence when at the time of arrest he fled the scene and then further resisted being arrested? Persons could have lost their lives, the police officers in the carriage of their duties to protect us could have been seriously injured and or killed whilst arresting this person. The simple answer is because the law allows it.
The above is not an exhaustive list, but highlights the most recent examples of the flaws in our current system that results in the needless death and suffering of persons in our community. 21 square miles and 35 unsolved murders since 2004, unacceptable!! An understaffed police service unacceptable! Choosing to send a police sergeant and two constables to Montserrat to participate in St Patrick’s celebrations does not appear to be a good use of resources when we have an understaffed police service.
The inference is clear if we are serious about making Bermuda “fairer” we must also ensure that it is made “safer” and this requires a review and overhaul of the criminal justice system.
However, we must first change our attitudes and beliefs about our priorities and purpose. There must be a strategic plan and performance measures which is data driven to ensure that serious crime and crime in general is reduced. Enough of the empty promises the time for action is now!
- Robert King, MP, Shadow National Security Minister
At least 35 unsolved murders and many who were convicted get released over technicalities, the “DNA expert” hired by police that comprimised a couple hundred cases, the crown breaking their own rules on jury selection and judges ignoring sentencing guidlines giving sentences longer than prescribed at one point. Then the judiciary has the temerity recently to throw a fete celebrating axcellence in the judicial system.
Hurt people hurt people.
I was with a boy now a man that was and still is gang affiliated.
My parents tried to warn me but I didn’t listen.
The hated of myself that started after postparden depression. His friends tried to cheer me up but they only wanted to use my body. 30 years of hardships hopelessness and bad mates.
Thank the Lord for saving me as I’ve moved away and had a hard struggle to overcome after mum died.I went awall! A reporter maliciously put my article from 23 years ago on Google. The lady thought that will deter me from singing, dancing drawing and overall being happy.
I’ve quit the drink 3 years ago and smoking cigarettes and marijuana occasionally use when I was really down. I did anything for a drink and cigarettes. Addiction is real and we as a community have to get together to learn the root of the problem. Stop the secretcy in the older generations! It’s not cool.
I have only my little family of 7 that loves me and maybe 2 mates in my city.
I am happy and enjoying the gifts of life. As the great Singer Adele says we ain’t kids now more, and as Michael Jackson said and I say so Beat it. I don’t want your love. My family means the world to me I’ve got a lot of catching up to do for the legendary musical Clamens family.