High visibility patrols part of Cup Match policing

Statement by Superintendent Martin Weekes - The Bermuda Police Service wishes to take this opportunity to advise the public on a number of matters to ensure a peaceful and safe time during this year’s Cup Match holiday weekend.

The purpose of this press conference is to flesh out the details of how we will police the Cup Match weekend using high visibility patrols alongside our partner agencies in the Ministry of Public Safety, The Bermuda Reserve Police and the Bermuda Regiment.

High Visibility Patrols

The Police Service will be conducting high visibility patrols throughout the weekend with the aim of ‘Making Bermuda Safer.’

In line with our strategic intent of guns gangs, drugs & violence reduction, the Bermuda Police Service is intent on deterring those members of the public that might seek to disrupt the holiday weekend with acts of violence and criminality. 

Patrols will be paying particular attention to incidents of public disorder, anti-social behaviour and weapons possession. 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.

Partnership Approach

In response to the positive feedback received from last year’s Cup Match, the Bermuda Police Service will again be partnering with the Bermuda Reserve Police and the Bermuda Regiment both at the game and on the water. Officers from the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Reserve Police and Bermuda Regiment will be on duty inside and outside the St. George’s Cricket Club grounds throughout the two days of play, directing traffic and conducting high visibility patrols.

We will also be working in partnership with other agencies including Parks Department as well as security officers at the cricket grounds and other venues to ensure a safe environment for the event going public.

CCTV

The Bermuda Police Service will continue to use CCTV proactively throughout the holiday weekend. There will be extra CCTV set up by a private contractor at St. George’s Cricket Club which will be monitored by both security and police officers.

Road Traffic

The public is reminded that on Thursday and Friday of Cup Match road closures and parking restrictions will be in effect in the area of St. George’s Cricket Club. The Bermuda Police Service will endeavour to keep disruption of the motoring public to a minimum; however all should be aware that there will be necessary road closures and there will likely be delays travelling into and out of St. George’s.

Marine

In partnership with the Bermuda Reserve Police and the Bermuda Regiment there will be a visible joint law enforcement presence on the water during this busy time of year on our waterways.

We would like to remind the boating public to ensure that their vessels are registered; that a current 2013 decal is prominently displayed on the starboard side of the vessel; that they ensure that all required safety equipment is on board; and that they are carrying enough fuel for the intended journey. It is also recommended 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.

Loud Music

Loud music complaints both in residential neighbourhoods and on the water are also a problem associated with this holiday and we accept that the celebration of Cup Match brings with it a party atmosphere. We ask two things of the public: 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.

Crime Prevention

In recent weeks a trend has emerged where residents have left their homes unsecured when they are out, possibly due to the hot weather we have been experiencing and on their return have found their homes broken into and valuables stolen. We urge the public to be aware of this and to secure their homes properly over the long weekend particularly if they are planning to camp out or attend any of the many events being held. We also stress the need to ensure that bikes and cars are properly locked and the keys are taken out to prevent crimes of opportunity.

Our final message this year is to encourage everyone to exercise patience, tolerance and caution to help the Bermuda Police Service do our job.

We appeal to the public, and in particular to those persons in the community who are involved in violent crime or have friends and family involved in these crimes, to think about the Cup Match holiday and what it means to their community and to not spoil these events for the whole community.

On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, I wish the entire community a pleasant, enjoyable and safe Cup Match weekend.