Tue, 2011-01-25

In 2010 there were 7 people killed and 29 people injured though the use of firearms. This represents a significant increase over 2009 which recorded 4 and 13 respectively. Across all other areas, crime is at its lowest point in the last decade. Significant resources and several strategies were deployed in 2010 to target gun, gang and drug offences as the primary objectives for the police and the community. The 2010 Annual Policing Plan announced a new, single-focused Mission Statement for the Bermuda Police Service: “Making Bermuda Safer.” There were 1,065 offences in Q4 2010, making it the second lowest quarter since Q1 2000. There were 4,575 offences for the whole of 2010, making 2010 the lowest yearly figure from comparative available records (from 2000). Police enforcement and proactivity is at an all time high with arrests increasing by 11%, calls for service up 2%, stop and searches up 36% and drug seizures at a record of $29.5 million.

Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva presented the statistics with Deputy Commissioner of Police Mike Jackman during a press conference at 1pm today. For the complete document, please visit here.

The full text of the Commissioner's speech is below:

Good morning.

I have called this press conference today to report on Bermuda ’s crime statistics for the fourth quarter of 2010 which is the period between 1st October and 31st December, and the Year End Statistics for 2010.

1.         Firearm Incidents:

• A total of 70 confirmed firearms incidents occurred during 2010; nearly twice as many as the 37 incidents reported the year before. 7 people were fatally shot and 29 were injured by gunshot, again about double the number in 2009.
• Of the 70 incidents, 39 were actual shootings at a victim (or in some cases multiple victims); the other 31 account for forensic recoveries of firearms and/or ammunition where there was no victim involved.
• The police seized 9 firearms (2 of which are air pistols), 1 imitation firearm and a pistol magazine.
• 65% or 127 of the total number of firearms reports are classed as “unconfirmed,” meaning that there is no evidence to support the call.

Investigations:

• In cooperation with the DPP’s office, the police brought 8 people to trial in 2010 for firearms offences; 7 of which resulted in conviction and imprisonment.
• A further 20 people have been charged before the courts for firearms offences and are awaiting trial in 2011.
• This significant increase in charges and convictions is due in no small part to the increasing cooperation from the community. I wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the public for the support we are seeing across the Island and the continued assistance that we are receiving in terms of information and tips. I would also like to recognise the courage of those victims and witnesses that have taken the stand in Court and to acknowledge that without their testimony we would not have the convictions. Finally, I encourage everyone else in Bermuda to remember the part they play in taking a stand against violent crime and providing information to bring the remaining offenders to justice.

Elsewhere, there is far better news to report:

2.         Total Crime

• Total crime in the 4th quarter dropped by 15% over the previous quarter and total crime for 2010 was 14% lower than the previous year. For the first time in five years, total crime dropped below 5,000 crimes per year and stands at 4,575.
• The long term trend of crime is showing a substantial decrease.
• The 4th quarter and 2010 as a whole saw the lowest crime rate in the last decade.

3.         Crimes Against the Person

(Main categories: Homicide; Assault; Robbery)

• Showed a steady increase until 4th quarter of 2009: since then it has been on a steady decline.
• The 4th quarter recorded 7% fewer reports than the previous quarter.
• Crimes Against the Person is 13% lower than 2009 which amounts to 121 fewer offences.

4.         Crimes Against the Community

(Main categories: generally where there is no specific victim – Firearms; Weapons; Public Disorder)

• This category fell by 18% in the last quarter, and the 4th quarter is the lowest since December 2008.
• Overall, 2010 compared evenly with 2009 with a marginal increase of 1% or 9 additional crimes reported.
• Decreases in weapons offences and antisocial behaviour offences were offset by increases in firearms offences and disorder offences.

5.         Crimes Against Property

(Main categories: Burglary; Vehicle & Property theft; Fraud)

• Crimes against property continue to show a pronounced decrease over the last five years.
• The 4th quarter fell by 16%.
• 2010 fell by 18% in this category which accounts for 646 fewer crimes.
• Decreases were recorded in all seven crime categories.

6.         Drug Enforcement Activity

• Drug enforcement activity fell slightly by 11 offences over last quarter.
• For 2010, drug enforcement increased by 91% or 467 additional interdictions and arrests.
• $29.5M worth of drugs were seized; compared with $11.1 million in 2009. This includes:

o       $5.5M at the ports of entry;

o       $750K from the streets;

o       A significant portion of the total relates to a single overseas interdiction from the sailing vessel Phantasea in December (about $20 million).

• 2010 is now a record year for the Police and Customs in terms of both the value and the number of seizures of controlled drugs, with a total of 980.

7.         Other Enforcement Activity

• Stop & Search (primarily criminal code, PACE & MDA powers, primarily)

o       Over 9,400 stop and searches were conducted by police in 2010.

o       This is about 180 searches each week, and is three times higher than the previous year.

• Arrests

o       5,082 arrests were made in 2010; nearly 100 arrests each week and 11.5% more than last year.

The top 5 reasons for arrest:

1. Court Warrant (50%)
2. Drugs
3. Impaired driving
4. Antisocial behaviour
5. Property theft

o       25% of all arrests involve recidivists.

o       I want to assure the public that stop, search and arrest numbers are not quotas: they are good indications of higher police presence on the street. In order for my officers to conduct searches and make arrests, they have to be out on patrol in the first place. For those people that still tell me they don’t see enough police officers on the street, there are about 8 ½ thousand people so far this year that would disagree.

• Traffic Enforcement

o       An 18% reduction from 2009 to 2010 occurred in parking tickets and traffic tickets.

• Road Traffic Collisions

o       There were 13 fatal collisions

o       839 injury collisions

o       1406 damage collisions.

o       About the same, or 29 fewer collisions than 2009.

• More Press Releases Here