The Bermuda Police Service continues to advise the motoring public to slow down and to use care, caution and courtesy on the island’s roads. Additionally, we urge those traveling in cars to use their seatbelts at all times and those traveling on motorcycles to fasten their helmets and avoid making a third lane.

During the week of Monday, June 9th – Monday, June 16th 2008 there were:

• Reported Injury Collisions = 25
• Reported Damage Only Collisions = 38
• Arrests on Suspicion of Impaired Driving = 9
• Vehicles Reported Taken Without Their Owners’ Consent = 17
• Number of vehicles reported stolen by parish: St. George’s = 4, Devonshire = 1, Pembroke = 5, Warwick = 1, Southampton = 5 and Sandy’s parish = 1.

The majority of the vehicles removed were auxiliary cycles/motorcycles, with 1 pedal cycle also stolen during the period. Of the 17 vehicles reported stolen 5 were subsequently recovered.

The Bermuda Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 17 year old Danlia Martin of Sandy’s parish. The teenager was last seen around 8:45pm Saturday at White Hill Field in Sandy’s parish at the majorette competition. She is described as 5’4” tall, light brown skinned with long brown hair in a ponytail and was last seen wearing an orange hooded top with beige Capri pants. Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of 17 year old Danlia Martin is encouraged to contact the Child Victims Unit on 295-0011.

The majority of offences committed in Bermuda are crimes of opportunity. The key to preventing such crimes lies in reducing those opportunities. Take away those opportunities and you automatically reduce the risk to yourself, your family and your property.

UNATTENDED VEHICLES – There have been several reported incidents recently of thefts from unattended vehicles. These incidents have occurred in car parks, on public roads and in yards outside private residences. To help reduce this type of crime, consider the following security advice.

• ALWAYS close all windows and ensure that all doors are locked before leaving your vehicle.
• AVOID leaving valuables such as cash/coins, mobile phones, laptops and I-Pods inside your vehicle. These items will attract a potential thief. Take cash and small items with you. ALL bulky items should be locked in the trunk of the vehicle.
• DO NOT park your vehicle in secluded areas. Park on a street where there is plenty of pedestrian traffic or in a car park where security personnel are present.
• PARKING AT HOME. Where possible park as close to your residence as possible. Try and park in a well lit area. If necessary, install security lighting to deter potential criminals and protect your VEHICLE and HOME.

If vehicle owners follow these simple Crime Prevention Tips, the professional ‘thief’ will find it harder to find a victim.

A message from the Community Safety Unit of the Bermuda Police Service.

On Friday, June 13th Police Constable Derrick Golding donated $1,305 to the Executive Director of WindReach Recreational Village, Mr. Lance Furbert. The money was raised by the participants of a Bermuda Police Service Weight Loss Challenge which was held from January 14th to April 30th. Over 30 Police officers, Reserve Police officers, Police Cadets and Police support staff took part in the challenge, with 23 year old PC Derrick Golding coming out on top in the end, losing an incredible 68 pounds!

PC Golding previously volunteered at WindReach while he was a Police Cadet. Pictured from left to right: PC Golding, Executive Director of WindReach Recreational Village Mr. Lance Furbert and Assistant Commissioner of Police Bryan Bell.

The Bermuda Police Service would like to take this opportunity to thank Inspector Steve Donnelly for organizing the event and also congratulate PC Golding and all the participants of the BPS Weight Loss Challenge for their commitment and hard work. The money raised will go towards the operational costs of WindReach, which has a full time staff of five and around 30 dedicated volunteers. WindReach assists individuals with disabilities from babies to senior citizens, and estimates around 30,000 visits a year are made to the facility.