Detectives struggling to contain Bermuda's burglary epidemic have been shocked by yet another spike in offences over the past two months.
Seasoned officers say April was among the worst months they can remember, with more than 135 homes, schools and offices broken into. March was almost as bad, with at least 110 reported burglaries up and down the island.
The figures top even those for 2007, which had already set records. Last year there were 1,280 burglaries in total - an average of 107 a month. The year's total was over twice as high as that of 2000.
Crime prevention experts yesterday reiterated their warning to householders and business owners to lock up securely. Police believe 70 per cent of burglaries occur after a window or door is left open or unlocked.
Underscoring their message is Paget homeowner Penny Carruthers, who was burgled recently after leaving a bathroom window ajar. Mrs. Carruthers, 64, told the Bermuda Sun of her hurt and anger and urged other householders to lock up tight (see page 4)
Gerry Lyons, crime prevention officer, said: "In terms of burglaries, April was the highest I've seen, and March wasn't far behind it. I've been staggered by the number coming in."
Last month, four teenagers were jailed for breaking into dozens of properties in the west end because they were "bored". Mr. Lyons said that the police have apprehended a number of such repeat burglars recently and said he now expects the number of offences to drop. However, his fear is that they will increase again when the repeat burglars are released from prison.
"It's like the war in Iraq: we can't win it; we can only try to reduce the casualties," he said. "That's why we repeat to people that they must shut and lock every door and window every time they go out or are asleep. That will stop most burglars."
Mr. Lyons said he believes that the current rash of burglaries is being driven by an increase in the availability of drugs. He said: "Once, the drug of choice on the island was marijuana. Now it's just as likely heroin, cocaine, crack. There's no way these people can feed their addiction unless they steal."
Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2008
Comment by:
James Cerulli
Unless the government wakes up in Bermuda....Bermuda will be another Jamaica or West Los Angeles. Now we read that guns and drugs are on the island....cameras were installed on Court Street...the number of violent crimes is skyrocketing! Tourism will suffer, and harder times will fall upon Bermuda. The government must do everything humanly possible to stop the influx of drugs and guns, even if it means that everyone is searched at the airport/seaports.
People do not swim from a nearby island and bring in drugs and guns. They are shipped and carried in! Put your foot down and stop before it's too late!
Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2008
Comment by:
Concerned Paget Resident
This has gone beyond residents locking up and securing their properties and belongings because these desperate people are "breaking" there way in and leaving people with costly damages!! Take the vandalism at Bulls Head Car Park for example...were the victims suppose to clear the contents of their cars and leave the doors unlocked to avoid having windows smashed in and broken locks which can be quite costly or do they just accept their loss, move on, and pray they never fall victim again? Where was security? The community can only do so much to lock up their properties and I feel this is now a matter for law enforcement. The BPS needs to take a stance and figure out how they are going to help protect the Bermuda community and prevent these things from happening. They can start by having officers patrol high-crime areas on a constant basis throughout the day. The BPS is concerned that offenders released from prison are going to strike again...so what are they going to do to prevent these offenders from attacking again? It's really sad that in a community as small as ours that was once able to leave properties unsecured, we now also have to lock ourselves inside while we're trying to relax!!
Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2008
Comment by:
ddg
It's not just drugs anymore at the root of these problems...in todays Bermuda it's also "survival". the poverty level in Bermuda would surprise some.
Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2008
Comment by:
Brian
The Government lie to the people the people lap it up and vote them back in and things continue to get worse.
Its seems that we will never learn.
Posted: Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Comment by:
t simmons
fix the drug problem, than you will fix these types of crimes
Posted: Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Comment by:
DooWahDiddyDiddy
Interesting isn't it. During December we were told by government statisticians that crime was down, now it transpires that 2008 is worse than 2007, and 2007 was the worst on record. I wonder whether Premier Brown still thinks that 'alternatives to incarceration' is working well? Perhaps one day I'll, like him, have 3 or 4 fulltime armed guards as well. That's about the only way to feel safe these days.
