Inter-Island Communications News Brief – January 14, 2020

The first road fatality in 2020 has taken place less than two weeks into the new year. According to a police spokesperson quote, “Around 4:15 pm Monday, January 13th police, Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service and ambulance personnel were dispatched to a reported serious collision on Somerset Road in Sandys parish. Details are limited at this time. However, it appears that a fire truck, a taxi, and a motorcyclist were involved. Sadly the rider understood to be a 16-year-old young man from Sandys parish, has succumbed to his injuries. A Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to assist the deceased’s loved ones at this difficult time and inquiries continue.

Any witnesses are urged to contact Constable Dennis Joell on 247-1788, 717-2221 or via e-mail djoell@bps.bm.”

According to a police spokesperson quote, “Around 11:25 pm Sunday, January 12th a reported serious collision occurred on North Shore Road in Devonshire in the vicinity of the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club. Details remain limited at this time. However, it appears that two vehicles were involved, a 50cc rental scooter and a motorcycle. It is believed that the rental scooter was being ridden east on North Shore Road when the collision occurred outside the entrance to Mid-Atlantic Boat Club as the motorcyclist exited the premises. Apparently the motorcyclist then fled the scene.

The rental scooter rider said to be a 42-year-old Warwick woman, was injured as well as a 42-year-old Smith’s parish woman – believed to be the pillion passenger on the motorcycle involved. Both were transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for treatment. At last check, the two women had been admitted, with the Warwick woman sustaining injuries including a potentially life-threatening head injury while the Smith’s parish woman sustained facial and other injuries. Inquiries continue and any witnesses are encouraged to contact Constable Kayla Smith on 247-1704 or via e-mail smithkay@bps.bm.”

Nine thousand dollars in prize money for anti-violence art submissions. This is being made available via the Ministry of National Security’s Live Love Life Anti-Violence Art Exhibition set to be held from February 28th through March 6th. The submission period is running from January 31st through February 10th and National Security Minister Wayne Caines shared that there’s been a great community response thus far saying quote “we believe that there are multiple ways to address this issue of violence. And our Ministry remains committed to introducing programmes aimed at reducing violence. The Live. Love. Life. Anti-Violence Art Exhibition seeks to engage our community through creativity. The upcoming Masterworks Exhibition will provide an opportunity for our community, especially our young people to express themselves through a number of artistic mediums. The arts can provide an outlet for self-expression, and this exhibition is part of our continuing outreach efforts to raise awareness about the importance of reducing violence and anti-social behaviour. We want people to channel their energy into being creative.”

Congratulations to the two new co-ordinators appointed to help steward the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme. As you’ll recall, the BOPP is a partnership between the Government of Bermuda, the Waitt Institute, and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, and Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban announced that Weldon Wade and Cheryl Ann Mapp have both been appointed to help co-ordinate the project. Minister Roban shared quote “The public may recall that in June 2019 the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme was created with the goal of sustainably developing Bermuda’s Blue Economy while also fully protecting 20% of Bermuda’s Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] in marine protected areas [MPAs],” said the Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban. I am confident that the appointment of Ms. Mapp and Mr. Wade will further these efforts as they both bring years of experience and expertise to this vital initiative.”

A government spokesperson went on to restate the intent of the programme saying quote “Through The Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme, Bermuda will create a binding ocean plan to sustainably manage and improve ocean industries like fishing and tourism while at the same time conserving Bermuda’s waters in fully protected areas. Utilizing marine spatial planning, new inshore and offshore zones will aim to protect commercially important fish stocks, migratory routes for marine mammals, and deep-sea ecosystems like seamounts and corals while allowing for [the] responsible development of marine industries.”