HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels says there are several factors that are causing the sudden surges in gun crime in the Overseas British Territory, suggesting internal feuding between members of the same gangs.
He said people with information should report it to the authorities, insisting that everyone has a role in making Bermuda safer.
“Persons with any information on criminal activity, whether they believe it is essential or not, should contact police, Crime Stoppers, or speak with a police officer you know.
“To ignore or believe this behavior will not, or cannot impact you or your loved ones is unwise, particularly in an island the small size of Bermuda, where one firearms incident can negatively impact an entire family, place of business, or neighborhood.”
There have been 294 confirmed firearms incidents since May 2009, resulting in 51 deaths and a further 128 victims being injured.
But in the last two months, there have been five shootings with no deaths.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police said that among the factors contributing to the escalation in gun crimes were access to weapons and the drive to commit crimes when a gang is running low on assets such as drugs and money.
Another reason could be the so-called “changing of the guard” when younger gang members wish to make their mark and challenge the leaders.
“Another key factor is the move away from traditional gang behavior, where previously there was a clear delineation involving members of rival gangs targeting each other.”
Police believe, based on analysis of firearms matters, that there are members of rival gangs who engage with each other, have social allegiance, and or collaborate in various criminal business ventures, including the importation of firearms and controlled drugs.
“This creates friction with other members of these respective crime groups because they cannot participate within this same context, although they are members of the same gangs. Additionally, there are increasing incidents of internal conflict.
“This shift makes it difficult for law enforcement to fully understand who is aligned with whom, particularly with this chaotic and unorthodox behavior of these organized crime group members,” Daniels said, adding that the police were devising strategies “to target and dismantle those criminal enterprises that create the greatest risk to community safety.”
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