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, May 19th – Monday, May 26th 2008 there were:

• Reported Injury Collisions = 23
• Reported Damage Only Collisions = 38
• Arrests on Suspicion of Impaired Driving = 4
• Vehicles Reported Taken Without Their Owners’ Consent = 19
• Number of vehicles reported stolen by parish: St. George’s = 1, Hamilton parish = 3, Smith’s parish = 1, Devonshire = 2, Pembroke = 8, Paget = 1, Southampton = 2, Sandy ’s parish = 1.

The majority of the vehicles removed were auxiliary cycles/motorcycles, with 1 car and 1 motocross cycle also stolen during the period. Of the 19 vehicles reported stolen 4 were subsequently recovered, including the car.

Members of the public are encouraged to take part in the first round of community education classes aimed at improving the community’s knowledge of how & why the Police Service operates the way it does and their rights when interacting with the Police.

The intention is to conduct these classes during the first two weeks of June 2008, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. To reserve spaces, contact Dwayne Caines or Robin Simmons on 299-4291 or 299-4321 or e-mail pmr@bps.bm. Deadline: May 28th. We are looking to attract anyone from our community; including teens, parents, senior citizens, religious or community groups, government or private sector workers & guest workers.

The following topics are scheduled to be discussed:

• You & The Road (All relevant issues regarding vehicles on the road, collisions etc.).
• Police & The Law (How the Police conduct their duties and how it affects the public).
• Structure of the Police Service (The various units within the Bermuda Police Service).
• Explanation of the Various Forms Used by Police & Why the Information required on them is Important (Clearance & Death Certificates, Protection Orders).
• Community Partners (The organizations that work alongside the Police Service to assist in reducing crime).

The Bermuda Police Service would like to thank the public for their co-operation during the holiday period. There was a normal level of activity reported to Police, with a few incidents of note; however, there were no major incidents reported over the long weekend.