It is no secret that the Bermuda Police Service is one of the biggest in the entire world, per one thousand people. It is also a fact that the general culture, demeanor and attitude of Bermudian is one of a peace-loving people; but within the peace-loving demeanor there are some cycles that have been passed down from generation to generation and affect people’s interaction with each other and particularly with the police.
The Bermudian community reluctance to cooperate with the police is contributing to the steady rise in crime and criminal activities this country is seeing. This cannot be good for the main industries that sustain the Bermuda economy. If this trend continues, it may result in loss of tourism and may very well see the migration of the exempt companies as Bermuda becomes an unsafe place for tourists and foreign workers.
The big question we are forced to ask is: if Bermudians are generally peace-loving people and the Bermuda Police Service is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the world per thousand people, what phenomenon is responsible for the rapid increase in crime that Bermuda is now seeing?
The article that appeared on the Crushing Fools blog in January 2008, which was one of the two articles that motivated a front page story in the Royal Gazette of Bermuda and which was responsible for disturbing a few senior police officers of the BPS; one of the article evaluated Bermuda’s the crime statistics and was captioned “Let the Stats Speak to You” While the other encouraged the citizen and residents of Bermuda to take the country back from the criminal element that is forcing law abiding member of this community to life in fear.
These articles were posted in response to questions that were posed to me on a regular basis by members of the community, including members of my church community. The articles were written in an effort to address the concerns of those citizens who, were not only interested in but were also worried about the new spate of crime.
I will explain in very simple terms what constitutes a crime; the difference between crimes and other offences that are not crimes. Let me first inform you that I am not an expert on such matters but I have been actively practicing in the field of policing that make me quite competent to address this matter.
First, it is important to note that crimes, their structure, and penalties are legislated under the Criminal Code. In other words, a crime is any offence that is provided for in the Criminal Code.
I know the above definition will not mean much to most people; so I will take it a step further and give practical examples of what a crimes are and how an ordinary untrained man can distinguished a crime from any other offence.
The ordinary man definition: A crime is any offence that is committed by an individual or group, against an individual or a group and/or their property that resulted in loss, damage, destruction, injury, and or death.
Crimes that result in lost are offence of theft. Theft is an offence which results in someone dishonestly taking the property of another with the intention of permanently keeping that property, for their use or the use of another. The intent of the person who commits the offence of theft is to take the property of another and treat it as his or her own; they may use, sell, damage, destroy or even give it away. There are many type of theft.
Thefts of deception
These are thefts in which the offender deceives another in order to obtain some property that he did not have any rights to.
Thefts of embezzlement
In these of fences individual (s) who are entrusted with monies violate that trust and treat such monies as their own.
There are also other types of theft such as fraud etc.
Crimes that result in willful damage
This is a case where an individual who has no lawful right to a property, but his intentional action may result in that property changing its original form, and thus reducing its value and or its capacity to be used as intended. However a property that was damaged can regain its full use and value if it is repaired.
Crimes that results in destruction of property include some incidents of arson; or the intentional destruction of another property by the use of some force. If a property is destroyed, it can be replaced but not repaired.
Crimes that result in injury
Crimes that result in injury or death are normally crimes that were or can be committed against an individual and may be considered assault. Assault ranges from an unwanted touch to the infliction of blows that may results in
1.Pain
2. Contusion (swelling and discoloration)
3. Abrasion (the removal of the top layers of skin)
4. Laceration (cut/incision in the flesh)
5. Damage nerve tissues, lost of limb use and broken bones etc.
6. Broken bones
Common Assault
This offense is committed when an individual touches another and that person who was touched takes offense to that touch, or when an individual inflicts blows on another that do not result in any visible or detectable (on examination by a medical professional) injuries.
Although the Bermuda Police Service publishes the crime statistics, it is interesting to know what percentages of crimes reported were successfully detected and prosecuted, and what percentage of the crimes were closed undetected. Also, considering the fact that the tourist industry plays a major role in the economy of Bermuda, it will be important to note what percentage of crimes that are committed against tourists. This particular category of crimes should also be published and available to government policies makers as well as other stake holders in the tourist industry. Having this information readily available will aid the Bermuda Police Service, Government and other policy makers in Bermuda to developing their strategic plan to fight the various crimes and types of crimes. This will also help maintain Bermuda’s reputation as a safe tourist destination.
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 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:
a. 11% increase in unlawful home invasion.
b. 19% increase in unlawful school invasion.
c. 73% increase in unlawful shop invasion.
d. 47% increase in unlawful office invasion.
e. 20% increase in unlawful unclassified premises invasion.
What does this mean to the citizens who are the main stake holders of this island, 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 that are committed 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.
I know most people may say we are not as bad as other jurisdiction. But the question we ought to ask is, are we as good as we were? It is extremely important to note, that the prosperity of most countries, states, Islands etc. are vastly dependent on the following:
1. Political stability
2. A low or a controllable crime rate
3. Infrastructural development
4. Trainable workforce.
It was reported by the BPS that there was an unprecedented rise in violent crime in Bermuda for the first quarter of 2008. it would have been good to get a break down of the crimes and what percent of those crimes were committed against tourist and none Bermudian.
Study by: Allan H. F. Palmer
