Bermuda: the Wild, Wild West

Up to five years ago when I arrived on the island of Bermuda, the Island was known for its order, peace, friendly people, tranquility etc. These qualities along with its strategic geographical location made Bermuda the ideal vacation spot and as a result tourist from around the world flocked to the shores of Bermuda to enjoy the relief from life as they know it.

While going through my initiation training (which is required of every foreign trained experienced police officer before they began to practice) the major police concerns at that time were, petty theft, theft of cycles, bladed article and bladed article related offences, the domestic disputes and violence complaint etc. the small stuff and the police self-defense training were basically geared towards confrontation with bladed weapons (knifes, machete, daggers etc.) which were the weapons of choice.

However as of late, the place that was considered the isle of tranquility has experienced a complete metamorphosis. The attitudes and personalities of the citizens have changed drastically. This dramatic change that the island folks (Bermudian) more so the youths have and are experiencing has to do with the young people adoption of the negative aspect of the United States of America culture: the drugs and gang culture which entail:

· Fight for the scarce drug addict clientele

· Securing drug turf.

· Build brutal reputation in order gain respect.

· Instill fear in the law abiding citizen

· Instill fear in the law enforcement agencies.

Today we have seen a small group of the community’s delinquent setting the pace for the majority of the law abiding islanders, the others that call Bermuda home and the tourist that turn to Bermuda as a refuge from their routine lives.

2009 have seen residence developing a heighten sense of insecurity: they are afraid for their life. It seems as if the delinquent youths which are paddled by a selected, small group of the greedy adult population, have lost all sense of order and self-control. With this out of control conduct they have adopted a new weapon of choice unfortunately their new weapon of choice is the firearm and unfortunately they are using this dangerous and deadly weapon indiscriminately.

The year began with a young man opening fire on the police, which is in itself a new high for the Bermudian criminal and a Clare message to the police but more so the law abiding community. Because I have a keen Knowledge of the type of training, the inexperience of the supervisors in the Bermuda Police Service, the attitudes of management, and the courage level of the constabulary, I can declare without fear and with precise accuracy that the community has much to be concern over and afraid of. The above combination is the perfect strew for the criminal community to hold the law abiding community of Bermuda hostage; thus making them prisoners in their own homes and in their own country.

There are other contributing factors that aid the escalation of such crimes and the boldness of the criminal. The slap on the wrist justice system that Bermuda has is indeed created the perfect environment for the escalation of criminality.

Apart from the unwarranted attack on the police there were several incident that occurred on the twenty two (22 SM) square miles island. the shooting of three men on the 26th May 2009, and the retaliation shooting that followed the following Saturday, the July 22nd shooting in the vicinity of the Warwick Camp, the 4th and the 8th August incidents, the September 6th Shooting of a senior citizen, are some of the major gun incident that occurred on the 22 Sq miles island that is Bermuda.

When such devastating events happen in so small a place, it normally ricochets across the island, it reverberates in every home and it impacts every life. This is so because the island is so small that it affects every family or individual in one way or the other. The victim or the perpetrator is either: the friend, relative, acquaintance or is known to the small community. This situation makes the incident more touching and generates a grater level of fear within the community.

What is unfortunate is the fact that the powers that be; be it police administration, politicians, community workers etc. are lost as to how to stem the criminal tides that is washing over Bermuda. Because everyone seems to be lost, the mental stagnation gave rise to the blame game and thus blame is being banged about. This is no time to pass the blame from person to person or from institution to institution, but this is the time to take an honest and critical look the reality of the situation, asked and answer the tough question no matter how unpopular they may be.

I will like to ask one such question now: has Bermuda moral and criminal decline reach to far to make a recovery? I will also like to follow up my initial question with these questions. If not; what will it take to bring the island back to it former state? But most of all is the people ready for or is capable of dealing with the measures that must be taken?

The Bermuda Police Service Crime Statistics 2008: A Review

Although to review the crime statistics is not a difficult task, I just did not dedicate any time to do so until last week, when I review the criminal statistics of the criminal offences that were reported to the police for the year 2008, as was released from the Bermuda Police Service. My scrutinizing search led me to some very interesting anomalies in the statistics and other reports. I will endeavor to spend a little time, to go over the statistics and give you a brief but honest analytical prospective of my findings. I will also infused my personal opinion, however I will endeavor to identify my opinion, less anyone treat my opinion as if they are fact.

First of all let me take this opportunity to make it clear, that the crime statistics that is provided by the police, in no way reflects the amount of crimes that was committed within a particular location between particular periods. However it is a reflection of the amount of crimes which was reported to the police between particular periods. For example rape and other sexual offences very often go unreported by the victims, for some or more of the following reasons.

1. The victims may blame themselves for the action of the perpetrators.
   
2. They do not want to be a victim of the stigma that is associated with such offences
   
3. They are afraid that their partner (husband, boyfriends etc.) will blame them for causing their sexual victimization and thus end the relationship (marriage etc).
   
4. they don’t want to go through the trouble of becoming a victim a second, a third or even a forth time (as in the case of the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines who was accuse of raping a female police officer)
   
5. No one will believe me (the victim).
   
6. No one will believe that a particular individual (the Perpetrator) will do such a thing etc.
   
7. There is the fear of retribution.

It is also important to understand that a large percentage of the crimes that are committed in any given locations are never reported for various reasons, most of which are personal to the victims of crimes who chooses not to report the matter to the police. So the crime statistics is only a reflection of the pale reality. Like the moon light is just a poor reflection of the sun’s illumination.

If it is true, that the crime statistics is only a pale reflection of the reality what happens when the power that be, fail to present the statistics transparently?

Let us now take a good look at the crime statistics as was make public by the Bermuda Police Service; but first, we must lay a basic foundation that will give the average man an understanding of this discourse.

A crime is any offence that is committed by an individual or a group against and individual or group and or their properties, which may result in:

• damage,
• lost,
• destruction,
• injuries,
• hurt,
• death
• pain ect.

Such offences must be legislated under the criminal code, act or other legislation enacted for that purpose.

With this in mind the people of Bermuda will like to know:

• Why aren’t the criminal offence of Assault Bodily Harm (the most frequently committed offence) not apart of the Bermuda Police Service public statistics.
  

• Due to the fact that Bermuda has such a large portion of its population addicted to one substance or the other; Why aren’t drugs and drug related crimes not a part of the Bermuda Police Service public statistics; and the same for:
  
• Offensive weapons
  
• And the sophisticated theft crimes like embezzlement, money laundering, fraud etc.
  

After all, there are departments that are set up with trained staff to deal with such offences. There is the Commercial Crime Unit which deals with crime such as embezzlement etc. the Fraud Squad that deal with the various crimes of fraud and the Narcotic Department that deal with the trafficking, supply, sale and or the use of illegal mode altering substances (drugs). If there were no such crimes committed in the pass why spend good money to equip and staff such departments. If the Bermuda Police Service is going to devote a whole department to deal with such crimes, there must be a problem that needs specialized attention.

Now on May 12th 2008, the Bermuda Police Service became so alarmed over the amount of violent crime that has been committed in the first quarter that they call a press conference to alert the community of the mounting problem.

Was there a need to be concern, or was it just a case where the management of the Bermuda Police Service were calling wolf, wolf. What is troubling is the fact that the violent crime statistics from 2004-2008 (with the exception of 2006 which revealed a decline in violent crime) there were a steady increase; so in reality there was nothing to be alarm about. What was the big fuss about. Was It because the management of the Bermuda Police service do not understand trend as it relates to crimes? Did the crime analysis take an analytical look at the trends per quarter as it relate to different years? If they did that, they would have known that there was no need for alarm due to the fact that certain crime spike at certain time of the year for definite reasons.

OF the thirty three criminal offences listed, in the six categories, the Bermuda Police Service reported on, there were minimal increases in ten offences listed. This means that there was a reduction in commission in twenty three criminal offences.

Conclusion:

Take into consideration that there was a drastic deduction of commission in the number (23) of criminal offences with slight increase in ten offences, the fact that the management of the Bermuda Police Service, felt the need to raise the red flag in the first quarter as it related to violent crimes, however we saw a measly increase of only 19 more violent crimes in relation to 2007, also the fact that the Bermuda Police Service management conveniently omitted so many criminal offence from its statistics among other abnormality, I am therefore forced to reveal my opinionated conclusion that the statistics was intentionally doctored to reflect a technical reduction (general reduction in commission in 23 criminal offences) yet an over all increase in the crime rate, for to cause the overall crime rate to have reflected a decrease, would have raise the eye brows of the community and reveal a perpetration of a fraud ( a criminal offence) that was committed by the Bermuda Police Service management.

If the boys in the management position of the Bermuda Police Service are not man enough to do what is right, in such trivial issues (such as releasing the true criminal statistics), I hope the community will not expect them to do what is right in matter that has grave consequences attached.

Guns, Gangs & a SWAT team the Bermuda Story

Recently, Bermuda has seen and is experiencing a rise in gun related crimes. This rise in gun related crimes are as a result of two basic factors; drugs situation which is an opportunity for disenfranchised youth to make big bucks quickly and the formation and expansion of the island’s gangs. Unfortunately these two dynamics are interrelated; in that the gangs are formed as a means of protecting particular drug turfs, drug pushers and the profits that are associated with the drug trade.

The dynamics of Bermuda drugs situation have experienced dramatic change over the years. The most significant change and the change that will cause a significant increase in the use of guns among the drug community of Bermuda is a simple one. The drug pushing or the vulture community have experienced tremendous numerical grown over the pass years. The vulture community has seen an increased in the number of people who are importing narcotic onto the Island (Bermuda) in its various forms and a rise in the number of people (retail sales people or pusher men/women) who are offering the same for sale on the streets.

However Bermuda population has not experiences significant numerical growth over the same period; and the addicted or the suffering community (which is those members of the population are suffering the pain and indignities of being a drug addict) is not large enough to adequately support all of the people who have chosen to exploit, make slaves and zombies of their fellow citizen. Now they are fighting each other to ensure they get the portion of the drug profits they think they deserves. In other words the Bermuda drug using population is too small to satisfactorily sustain the growing drug dealing community that is doing bottle for the market.

Although the foregone is the main cause of the escalation of the gun related crime in Bermuda, I am going to assure you that unless something is done soon, Bermudian are going to see a drastic increase in the lack of tolerance among the opposing fractions and thus, very trivial occurrences will triggering acts of violence among the gangs which will adversely affect the law abiding community. It will not matter what reasons they will given to justify the expected future acts of violence, one thing we will be aware of is the root cause of such violence, which will be the drug lord’s inability to meet their expected financial target in the time frame specified. We all know that such targets are needed for the drug lords and their cronies, (which includes pushers, corrupt police officers, Customers officers politician and other who benefits from the proceeds of drugs) to live the type of life they have grown accustom to living: the life of glamor.

Now that I have shown you the reasons that are responsible for causing the elevation of the Gun crimes in Bermuda (as it apply to the Bermuda situation) a situation that is now taking over the tranquil island of Bermuda and has trigger an element of concern in the common man and woman of the island as well as the political and other leaders of the land.

This led me to ask a serious question. How has the appointment of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) who was appointed to tackle the drug problem working out? What plans and program have he put into place to curb the influx of drugs entering the country, hitting the streets and the crimes that are associated with the use sales and smuggling of the illegal substances into the island of Bermuda.

The unfortunate thing about the Bermuda situation is the fact that those who are appointed to manage the crime situation in Bermuda (the management of the BPS) are at a lost as to what to do and how to tackle the problems that confronts this island.

When one hear the primer suggesting to his constituents (all Bermudian and those who resides there in) that his government is considering implementing a SWAT team to Bermuda, it leads me to asked who is advising the Primer of Bermuda.

What is a SWAT team? A Special Weapon And Tactics team is a group of people who have received specialized training in weapon use and handling and strategic combative policing tactics, who is expected to intervene in serious situation especially hostage and hostile situations involving weapons with minimal lost and injuries to member of the public.

Why would the Bermuda Police Service want a SWAT team, when they already have one? The Emergency Response Team (ERT) is a SWAT team. It may not be call a SWAT team, but their core and continued training are the same training of a swat team. Have you ever saw the ERT in their combative uniform? Their combative uniforms are even more sophisticated than those of super power like the USA and England? So knowing all this, why is the Bermuda Government going to invest good money into building a unit that already existed?

It seems as if the Government of Bermuda is willing to throw good money after implementing something that is already in existence for many years now; the same way they have thrown away good money to employ an Assistant Commissioner of Police who have failed even to maintain the status of Bermuda Drug problem; but after the appointment of the ACP Bermuda have seen a total cave in where policing the Bermuda’s drug problem is concern.

Although the current system under which the ERT function is not emergency oriented, but rather symbolic; although they are SWAT trained and equipped the team is really an after the fact show of force unit. This cause me to asked why is the Government of Bermuda is spending and has spent so much money on the core and continual training of the ERT when base on their present mode of operating, they will never be present to render actual help to the community in the event there is a real emergency that needs their urgent assistance.

Bermuda is already a militant or police community. a greater number of officer on the streets and a new unite in the BPS are not going to serve the problem that now confronts Bermuda. The political and other leaders of Bermuda have got to put their together, brain storm and come up with a plan that matches the unique Bermuda situation. it will also be a waste of time and money for the Government to import another program from the USA, England and Canada because it have seen some success in those parts of the world. The problem that Bermuda now experienced has it own unique characteristic and need a solution that is also unique to Bermuda.

Rhiana Moore’s Murder a visible threat against women and children

Rhiana Moore’s Murder a visible threat against women and children

The Murder of Rhiana Moore has once again highlighted the exploitation of two of society’s minority and weaker sect. For years many civilize countries, there governments and Non Government Organization (NGO) around the world have been trying without success to change the mindset of the people and curb the what appears to be an out of control occurrence that often raises its ugly head. It is time for violence against Children and violence against women to stop.

With one inconsiderate act of the murderous hand that cause the death of a 14 year old female child Rhiana Moore, has brought to the forefront the perpetration of violence against women and children two of societies minority and in most cases defenseless foe.

These two societal sect are often the victim of countless abuse in the name of love and disguised as other means of concern etc. these victims are made to suffer in silence because of the stigma and shame that is associated with being a victim. Rhiana’s death should be the last straw and should be used as a catalyst to motivation this community to champion a worthy cause, which is to stomp out from this community violence against women and children.

I was shocked but not surprised that the death of this female child did not meet the outcry of the concern Government official or the necessary NGOs that operate within the Bermuda Community. NGOs that daily work diligently for the betterment of children though mentoring programs etc.

This helpless child had met her end in a manner that no child in any community should have to confront. It is time that the member of this Bermuda community found their voice and come forward and lend heart and voice against violence against women and children. It is the duty of any civilizes community to lookout for their women folk but more so their children after all we must come to the realization that the children are the future of Bermuda. If this is so, what future does Bermuda have if the futures of this country are constantly becoming victims of abuse of one form or another with no one to champion their cause?

The children and the island the females needs a champion will that champion be you?

Let the Stats Speak to you.

Crime and Violence the Bermuda Story for 2005-2006

After addressing the community’s reluctance to cooperate with the police to ensure that the environment in which they live continues to be conducive for living; without the element of fear for one’s safety, the safety of our families, friends and the protection of their properties, I think it was fitting for me to review the crime statistic according to the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) as is posted on the BPS very informative webpage (http://www.bermudapoliceservice.bm/)

Although the page shows an overall decrease in the number of actual crimes reported, (which is far different from the number of crimes committed) I could not help but to notice there were some very important categories missing from the stats sheet. The categories are as follows:
· Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm;
· Physical assault on an individual that leaves on the victim’s body any swelling, discoloration and or bruising;
· Willful/criminal damage, which is anyone without a lawful authority or reasonable excuse who damage any item no matter the value, but as long as that property had/has an owner;
· Drug related offensives such as possession, importation, etc.

These discoveries lead me to ask the question, would the exclusion of the above categories of criminal offences in anyway change the statistics and affect the general outcome of the crime rate? This is a question for you to answer.

In analyzing the statistics I will attempt to not only reveal the discoveries I made but I will also try to explain what some of the crimes constitute in a very simple form. It is also my hope that the revelations found here would only help to motivate concerned Bermudian into action and enable a greater community consciousness. This will inspire a greater level of collaboration between the community and the police in keeping this very small Island safe from the criminal that is waging war against all who live and visit this Island that is synonymous with tranquility.

The discoveries:

Reported Theft:


There was a 24% rise in report of theft when compared to 2005 and 2006. This means that there were 24% more victims who had been deprived of enjoying the pleasures of the sweat of their brow. Their hard earned monies and other personal possessions were taken from them by another whose intention was/is to permanently deprive the owner of such.




Burglaries

Crimes of intrusion also saw a leap in 2006 when compared to 2005. Our home, business premises and schools had become less safe, in that to secure these premises was not enough to ensure there safety.

The increases were as follows:
· 11% increase in unlawful home invasion.
· 19% increase in unlawful school invasion.
· 73% increase in unlawful shop invasion.
· 47% increase in unlawful office invasion.
· 20% increase in unlawful unclassified premises invasion.
What does this mean to us as citizens who are the main stake holders of this rock, residents who are only here in most cases at the pleasure of their employees, and visitors who comes to enjoy the peace and stability of this tranquil Island?


Assault causing Grievous Bodily Harm

We have seen a 34% rise in assault offences that may have resulted in possible broken bone and other injuries that may or could cause improper function of one’s limbs or organs due to nerve damage etc.

Sexual Assault:

Crimes of sexual assaults are normally crimes against females but not restricted to females. Another class of individuals who are increasingly becoming victims of such crimes are children of both genders. Bermuda has seen a 22% rise in such crimes for the period 2005-2006, and a 43% from 2004-2006.

Murder
The offence Murder has seen an unprecedented rise of 50% every two years. This can quickly become a frightening number.

These are serious times. I know most people may say we are not as bad as some other jurisdiction. But the question to ask your self is are we as good as we were before. It is extremely important to note, that the prosperity of most country, state, Island etc. is vastly dependant on the following:

Political stability
A low or a controllable crime rate
Infrastructural development
A trainable workforce

But there is nothing that can drive away investors and potential investors like an environment that have become criminally unstable. The ball is in your court. And you must play it with common sense and with intelligence.

It is time to take our community back

Recently the City of Hamilton (Bermuda) saw the staging of a public demonstration and rally which was organized by the parents of the murder victims, who are yet to see the perpetrators of their children’s murders be brought to justice. While speaking to member of the community, I discovered that most of them are confident that there are members of the community with sound and relevant information, which may lead to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of these senseless murders.

It was also brought to my attention, that the individuals who have pertinent information, that could be of evidential value and which may ensure the victim’s families gain the closure they are looking for, are afraid of retaliation. Daily these families are made to relive the horrific and traumatizing experiences and they will do so until justice is done.

Fear is never a justified reason to cause or aid in the miscarriage of justice. Every one that resides in this tranquil community needs to be courageous. We must not only remember, but we must also remind each other of our civic responsibilities which should be perform with a sense of pride. It is also important for everyone who resides in Bermuda to understand that courage is not the absence of fear but it is the willingness to act even when you are afraid. If we use fear to allow an offender to evade prosecution whether it is for the offence of murder or for an offence of a less serious nature, we are only empowering the criminals. We are giving them permission to up the ante and to raise the stakes.

If you think what you are experiencing now is fear, you will mess yourself if this problem is allowed to get out of control, as it has in some countries. I have been to countries and I have spoken to people, where the community has empowered the criminals in the name of fear. Today these criminal commit murders in plain view of members of the public, with no effort to conceal their identity; yet they have the assurance, that no one who witnessed the gruesome murders has the courage to aid in their arrest and/or conviction.

All in all, Bermuda is a still a very safe community, which has not been blighted with the amount and the degree of criminal activities that is synonymous with many other jurisdictions. Yet I can see the potential for things to get out of control. It will be a shame if the citizens and residents of this tiny island are made to live in a petrified state.

Now I am lead to ask the following questions. Is it fear or is it indifference that has taking over the members of the community? Could it be that the community no longer cares and we have stop being his brother’s keeper? Have we adopted the “it’s not my business” mentality? For the sake of this little island, I hope not.

In service to Humanity

Allan H. F. Palmer