Minister Weeks On CCTV Footage, System, More

The “public CCTV network was operational” during the shooting at Southampton Rangers and the footage has “assisted with the investigation, resulting in arrests,” Minister of National Security Michael Weeks said.

Minister Weeks said, “Firstly, I want to address something directly. There’s been incorrect reporting about the firearms incident at Southampton Rangers on May 24th. The public CCTV network was operational during that incident. The event was captured. That footage has been secured as forensic evidence and has already assisted with the investigation, resulting in arrests.”

The police have previously confirmed that three people — a 19-year-old male, a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old male — have been arrested in connection with the shooting in Southampton.

The Minister said, “That said, we are aware of issues affecting the public CCTV network. Some cameras experience intermittent failures when saving footage to our system, and this is not acceptable. We understand the public’s concerns, particularly given the serious incidents our island has faced.

“Our network comprises more than 225 modern high-definition cameras providing over 460 unique views from 130 locations across Bermuda. Over the past 12 months, we’ve received 396 formal investigative requests for CCTV data. The Bermuda Police Service uses footage from multiple camera angles to track suspects, recover evidence, and build cases.

“The service has the capability of searching for specific suspects or vehicle characteristics in minutes instead of days. Their command centre accesses the network in real time, identifying brewing disturbances and dispatching units to precise locations sometimes before incidents escalate.

“I am informed by the Commissioner of Police, that in one case from summer 2025, investigators used 12 separate angles to track a suspect for over 20 minutes. That seamless digital trail led police directly to the recovery of critical forensic evidence and a suspect’s apprehension. Without the network, that evidence would have been lost.

“The system is valuable, and it continues to play an important role in supporting public safety and police investigations. Like any island-wide technology network, it requires constant monitoring, maintenance, and upgrades to ensure it continues to meet operational needs.

“The issues identified relate to intermittent technical faults affecting some parts of the network, including power supply, backhaul network stability, and recording functions.

“These matters have been actively reviewed with Digicel, and a Fault Resolution Review has been initiated to ensure that faults are identified quickly, addressed properly, and monitored going forward.

“Short-term remedial work is already underway, while the Ministry, the Bermuda Police Service, and Digicel continue to assess longer-term improvements to strengthen the network’s performance and resilience.

“Our focus is not simply on responding to individual faults, but on ensuring that the CCTV network continues to support the wider public safety objectives for which it was designed.

“It would not be appropriate, for operational security reasons, to identify which cameras may be affected at any given time. Releasing that level of detail could assist persons intent on committing crime and would undermine the very purpose of the network.

“The public should be assured that the CCTV network remains an important investigative and operational tool for the Bermuda Police Service. It is being used, it is assisting investigations, and where issues are identified, they are being addressed with urgency.

“The Ministry of National Security, working with the Bermuda Police Service and service providers, remains committed to strengthening the systems that support public safety. That includes ensuring that Bermuda’s CCTV infrastructure continues to assist law enforcement, support investigations, and contribute to Making Bermuda Safer.”

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