Carnival Weekend To Take Center Stage Parts of Pembroke Streets to be Closed, During a press conference held yesterday, Bermuda Police Service (BPS) Chief Inspector Alex Rollin provided an update to the public on what to expect from Police during this upcoming holiday weekend.
Even though events will be held throughout the weekend to celebrate Heroes’ Day and Carnival, J’Ouvert and Rebel de Road, both scheduled for Monday June 20, are anticipated to have the highest attendance.
“ For J’Ouvert, revelers will depart from Bernard’s Park [around 3 a.m], continue left onto Marsh Folly Road and onto Cedar Avenue, and then a final left onto Angle Street, finishing back at Bernard’s Park,” Mr. Rollin explained.
“ The Corporation of Hamilton and Ministry of Public Works have issued road closure warnings for the aforementioned areas during that time [3 a.m to 9 a.m.].”
Revel de Road, which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Monday, will consist of three laps in Pembroke parish, the chief inspector explained. Because of these laps, several roadways will be closed, including North Street, Parson’s Road, Frog Lane and Dutton Avenue during the first lap; Marsh Folly, Blackwatch Pass and North Shore Road [up to Palmetto Road roundabout] during the second lap.
“ The third and final lap of the celebration will begin at the North Shore Road/Palmetto Road roundabout, west on Palmetto Road and onto Marsh Folly Road before turning left onto Dutton
Avenue and finishing at Bernard’s Park [where the first celebration ended],” he said. “ It is anticipated that each lap of the procession will take approximately two hours to complete.
Motorists should expect delays and there will be traffic diversions as a result of road closures and a large number of people expected to attend this event. We ask that motorists exercise patience and caution during this time.”
The public is urged to not engage in any sort of antisocial or criminal behavior or activity during the weekend and during these two celebrations in particular. The public is also urged to not travel along the parade route alone and to not go boating or swimming alone either.
“ Extra police officers will be on duty for the raft-up that is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 18 in Mangrove Bay,” Mr. Rollin explained. “ Our officers will be working closely with the coastguards to ensure a safe and enjoyable time on the water.”
“ I would like to take this opportunity to wish all residents and visitors alike a safe holiday weekend and urge you to enjoy yourselves responsibly,” he concluded.
Following Mr. Rollin’s update, Acting-Superintendent Robert Cardwell provided an update on Operation Vega, the BPS’ traffic offense initiative.
According to Mr. Cardwell, 555 traffic offense tickets have been issued within the past three weeks, 310 of which were for speeding. The speeds clocked ranged between 60 and 101 km/h. 38 of the tickets issued were for unlicensed vehicles, 54 were for no insurance and 52 were for no drivers’ licenses.
Mr. Cardwell urges motorists to obey all traffic rules and signs, get all of their vehicle licenses and insurance up to date and most importantly slow down while on the roads.
“ During the entire period of Operation Vega, which commenced on July 1 of last year, 5,586 tickets had been issued for traffic offenses,” he said. “Going into the Heroes’ Weekend, roadside sobriety checks have been authorized and will be initiated by various sections of the Bermuda Police Service across the island.”
These roadside sobriety checks will be conducted in Southampton, Warwick, Paget, Devonshire, Pembroke, Smiths and Hamilton parishes.
Mr. Cardwell concluded today’s press conference by reminding the public the penalties for traffic tickets; the minimum for speeding which is $300. Traffic sign offenses are $50, unlicensed cars
are $750 and unlicensed motorcycles are $250. For uninsured vehicles of any kind, the courts will issue a $1000 fine
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Story by TNN Reporter Stefano Ausenda