Crime Platform 2010

Overview 

Background

• Crime has grown by 135% over the past 7 years.
• Budget funding for the Bermuda Police Force and the number of police officers has not increased.
• Bermuda’s public view crime as one of the most pressing concerns for Bermuda

Problems

• Breakdown of the extended family structure
• Lack of education and employment opportunities for black males
• General deficiencies within the education system
• Poor public perception of the Bermuda Police Service
• Lack of confidence in the criminal prosecution process
• Inappropriate prioritization in the allocation of police resources
• Systemic challenges within the mental health services and in the provision of mental health community care, resulting in at-risk individuals committing violent acts
• Abuse of illegal drugs and growth of the drug trade
• Growth of gang activity
• Gangs impacting on an increase in violent and gun-related crime

A Better Way

Solutions

• Modernization of the Criminal Code Act 1909 to provide a clear working piece of legislation that covers all laws relating to crime.
• Rejuvenation of the practice of Community Policing resulting in:
  • More Police on the beat
  • Increased trust between the Bermuda Police Service and the communities they serve
  • Faster reaction times to local incidents
  • Better protection of homeowners and their property
• Use of new technologies:
  
  • Police video cameras and increased CCTV monitoring
  • Electronic monitoring (tagging) of offenders
  • Video-taping of Bermuda Police Service interviews
  • Modernization of the Court reporting system
• Foster a working relationship with Government House to ensure efficient policing.
• Improve communication between police and the Prosecution service.
• Legislation including:
  • The establishment and maintenance of community crime watches
  • Review of drunk driving legislation to reduce traffic related offences
  • Review of the alternatives to traditional incarceration for offenders, in order to expand the opportunities for rehabilitation and re-education
  • Education of, and dialogue with young people to deter gang involvement
  • An increase in the number of social programs available e.g. by expansion of the number of youth centres
  • Implementation of “anti-gang legislation”.
  • Strengthening provision of mental health services and the availability of crisis community mental health responders

Summary

The Bermuda Democratic Alliance accepts that there is no "magic solution" for the reduction of crime in Bermuda. The efforts to reduce crime requires a multi-pronged approach which is both reactive, addressing the current level of crime and also proactive in the prevention of crime. This is A Better Way in addressing this serious social concern