Bermuda boasts zero homicides

Bermuda can claim to be one of the safest places in the Caribbean as it had no crime related deaths in 2019.

Ten years ago, Bermuda was facing a dire situation with multiple murders a year and rampant gang activity. Between 2009 and August 2017, Bermuda recorded 34 murders. Considering its population of around 66,000 people in only 21 square miles, it is a high statistic. During the height of the gun and gang violence era, there was a crisis.

The court system was overwhelmed with criminal cases and it became common place to require personnel from uniformed services to safeguard and protect courts during high profile murder and assault cases. The hospital and prisons were often placed on lock-down to protect the staff and people inside and armed police patrolling the streets.

“The fact that we had zero crime related deaths in 2019, and the fact that there has been a decrease of violence in our community in 2019 is in part a result of our singular focus on implementing programmes to reduce gang violence and anti-social behaviour as well as the dedicated efforts of the Gang Violence Reduction Team (GVRT), who continue to make positive influences with our at-risk population,” said the Minister of National Security, Wayne M. Caines.

This was the first time in over 20 years that no homicides were recorded in Bermuda.

“This is a testament of the hard work of all involved, particularly the Bermuda Police Service,” Caines said. “I commend Police Commissioner Stephen Corbishley and the dedicated men and women of the Bermuda Police Service. We have made significant progress in 10 years.”