Thu, 2009-05-21

The Bermuda Police Service takes 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 period; the actual Bermuda Day holiday will be celebrated on Monday, May 25th.

During last year’s holiday between 6:00 pm on 23rd May and 6:00 am on 27th May, the Bermuda Police Service responded to the following incidents of note:

• 23 Road Traffic Collisions, 10 of which resulted in personal injury;
• 4 reports of Loud Music;
• 14 reports of Annoying Persons;
• 11 disturbances including fighting in public;
• 11 marine violations including speeding and unregistered vessels.
• 17 incidents of a domestic violence nature;
• 13 assault reports, 2 of which were complaints of robbery;
• 3 arrests were made for impaired driving.

Our main concern is the volume of traffic that Bermuda Day attracts on our roads. Between the Marathon Derby and other road races in the morning, the Parade in the afternoon, the Dinghy Races and a busy nighttime economy in the City of Hamilton , thousands of spectators will be traveling on our roads during that period. We are asking the public to exercise care, caution and courtesy while driving, especially when considering the high volume of collisions that occurred last year. Additionally, we encourage members of the public not to drive if they have consumed any quantity of alcohol; even if they think they are below the legal limit. This zero-tolerance approach will go a long way to reduce collisions and keep our roads safe for everyone.

The public is reminded that several roads will be closed and they should plan alternate travel routes accordingly.

• Essentially, the southern part of the City of Hamilton will be closed from 8:00 am until after the Parade, about 4:00 pm. This includes Front St. between Par-la-Ville and King Streets, as well as Church and Victoria Streets. No parking areas will be clearly marked, and specific road closure times are contained in the gazette notices.
• Middle Road will be closed to west-bound traffic at the South Road junction (Barnes Corner) promptly at 8:30 am so there is no disruption to the start of the races. Participants are reminded of the need to arrive early, or at least clear this junction before 8:30 am to avoid any disappointment.
• Harbour Road will be closed to all traffic between 8:45 am and 11:30 am.

The Police Service will be fully staffed over this Holiday period and an extra 100 officers will be brought on duty to supplement normal patrols. Members of the Bermuda Reserve Police will work alongside their career counterparts to assist with the races and the afternoon Parade.

The Police Support Unit, assisted by CCTV operators, will also be fully staffed and will be deployed in a highly visible, proactive patrol pattern. We are intent on deterring those members of the public that might seek to disrupt the holiday with acts of violence and criminality. This Unit will be paying particular attention to incidents of public disorder, weapons possession and public drug misuse. Certainly, those persons who are not deterred by the presence of the police and commit these offences can expect to be promptly arrested and delivered to the Courts.

Loud music complaints are a traditional feature of this Holiday and we accept that the celebration of Bermuda Day brings with it a party atmosphere. We ask two things: patience and tolerance on the part of the complainants, along with a display of respect and courtesy on the part of the subjects. We encourage members of the communities that they live in to work together to keep the peace in the neighbourhood and avoid the involvement of the police.

However, the public must be reminded that playing loud music is an offence, and in chronic cases we are prepared to take action. In order to avoid this, I remind the public that playing loud music before midnight is discretionary, and the police will assess the seriousness of each case. After midnight, however, the offence is absolute and music should not be played to anyone’s annoyance in the neighbourhood.

Bermuda Day traditionally marks the start of the boating season in Bermuda and we expect, weather permitting, that our waterways will be very busy. A full compliment of officers from our Marine Unit, supplemented by the Bermuda Reserve Police, will be on hand to deal with marine incidents. We would like the boating public to ensure that their vessels are registered; that a current 2009 decal is prominently displayed on the starboard side of the vessel; that they ensure that all required safety equipment is on board; that they are carrying enough fuel for the intended journey and that they file a float plan if they intend to go offshore.

Additionally, speed is an issue not only in maritime collisions but in the general nuisance factor that is experienced by boaters at anchor near the shoreline. The boating public is reminded of the need to exercise care and caution around other vessels and to be on the lookout for swimmers. To this end, the 5 knot – no wake areas will be strictly enforced in order to calm the marine traffic. We also encourage that persons do not mix any use of alcohol with power-boat operating or sailing.

Our final message this year is to encourage everyone to exercise patience, tolerance, caution and good old fashioned common-sense to help us to do our job, and thereby minimize any inconvenience to the public. On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, I wish the entire community a pleasant, enjoyable and safe Bermuda Day.

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