Nearly two weeks after her family joined police to make an impassioned plea for impassioned plea for information, it would appear that plea has fallen on deaf ears.

On Thursday, March 7, the Bermuda Police Service held a news conference at the scene of a fatal accident, where Jen-Naya Simmons was left for dead on the side of the road, following a hit and run accident on July 15 last year. She was only 17 at the time of her tragic death.

The fatal hit and run crash occurred on North Shore Road in Hamilton Parish, around 3:30am.

Police say the oncoming car that hit her left her there at the scene.

The car was identified by police and the man who owns it remains a person of interest in this case and he is not alone. He was arrested shortly after the accident but never charged.

The police know there was more than one person in that vehicle on that fateful night. And they are the ones the appeal went out to.

Police are also aware of the word circulating all over the streets ever since this fatal crash left a young woman dead on the side of the road, including reports that the man’s girlfriend was reportedly driving the vehicle on the night in question when the fatal accident occurred.

But hearsay is not a defense, nor is it admissible in a court of law. You need PROOF – proof that places the driver; whoever it was, behind the wheel at the time of the crash on the night in question.

The only thing proven so far, is that somewhere on this tiny little island we call home, every single day since the victim’s family got that dreaded phone call in the middle of the night, nearly a year ago – is that there are people, more than one, at least two, or maybe more, who know what happened.

The question now is what do they plan to do about it – anything? Do they even have a conscience? Would they withhold information that would lead a grieving family to justice if it was their child left in the street for dead? Do they even care, which begs the question: As a people, what kind of people are we really because this is not the first time something like this has happened and it would appear it won’t be the last.

The victim’s father, Kingsley Burchall, pleaded for anyone who knows anything to do with the death of his daughter to come forward.

“This has ruined my entire life,” he said.

Sergeant Dorian Astwood of the Roads Policing Unit said in the initial stages of the investigation, the crash was believed to be a single vehicle accident.

“However, as the investigation continued, critical information began to emerge and it was confirmed that another vehicle was involved,” he said

That vehicle was a silver grey Suzuki APV car. The owner was arrested last year and subsequently released on police bail and Sgt Astwood stressed that “this investigation is not finished” yet.

He confirmed that police know “there were other occupants in the vehicle” and that “these individuals, for whatever reason, have not done the honourable thing and come forward”.

“There are many people walking around with guilty consciences and heavy loads on their hearts…

The manner in which Jen-Naya’s life was taken from her was callous,” he said.

He also stated that he could not imagine “how one could sleep at night and carry on with their daily activities without experiencing the fear of reprimand” and urged anyone in this community who know anything to speak up.

Sgt Astwood noted that the veil of silence on this case “is very disrespectful to the memory of the deceased”, especially for her family, loved ones and friends.

Time will tell as to whether of not that veil of silence will fall or continue to elude justice and closure for this young woman’s grieving family, a family left with no real answers and no closure.

Minister Foggo: Plans Underway To Erect A Statue In Tribute To Mary Prince

News   |   Uncategorized   |   March 19, 2019

The Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs announced today that plans are underway to erect a statue in tribute to Mary Prince, a Bermudian born into slavery whose story was the catalyst that led to the abolition of slavery.

The historical account, published in 1831 – ‘The History of Mary Prince, A West Indian Slave’ , was first account on record, of the life of a Black woman to be published in the UK – a Black slave in Bermuda.

According to the statement released today, possible locations for the statue include the site of a cave in which Mary Prince hid after escaping from her slave owner.

Minister of Community Affairs and Sports, Lovitta Foggo said today, research shows that the cave’s exact location, which is on unspecified private land.

Ms Foggo announced that her Minister has begun a likeness for the statue, as no photographs exist of Mary Prince, although artistic accounts by contemporaries may help to create her depiction in the form of statue.

The Minister also noted that Mary Prince is famous for her slave narrative The History of Mary Prince (1831).

“This first-hand description of enslavement, released at a time when slavery was still legal in Bermuda and British Caribbean colonies, had a galvanising effect on the anti-slavery movement,” said Ms Foggo.

“It is so important that we find a fitting way to honour Mary Prince – or ‘Mary James’, and ‘Molly Wood’ as she was also known.

“As Mary Prince’s autobiographical narrative was instrumental in the abolition of slavery, not only in Bermuda but throughout the entire British Empire, this government is of the view that a statue be built in her honour. Obviously, due to the time in which she was living, there are no photographs of Mary Prince, but there are, of course, other ways to determine what she might have looked like – first-hand accounts from her contemporaries, for example.”

Overseas researcher Dr Margot Maddison-MacFadyen, who was recently given a grant to conduct research on Mary Prince, “to learn more about her latter days”, will “help to determine where the statue will be placed, as the desire is to have it be somewhere of historical significance to Mary’s life”.

“One possible location being considered, along with several others, is the cave in which Mary hid after she escaped from her slave-owner,” said Minister Foggo.

Outgoing Supreme Court Judge, Pusine Judge Carlisle Greaves, who is set to retire in July, will be replaced by lawyer Larry Mussenden, who is currently Bermuda’s Director of Public Prosecutions.

The appointment was announced today by Governor John Rankin, who said he was “confident” Mr Mussenden “will serve the Supreme Court with distinction”, following his appointment as a Puisne Judge yesterday.

Highlighting Mr Mussenden’s career, including time as a Crown counsel, Attorney General and in private practice

The Governor also highlighted Mr Mussenden’s career, including his time as a Crown Counsel from 1996 to 2001, private practice and as a former Attorney General, after he was called to the Bar in England in Wales in 1995 and then the Bermuda Bar in 1996.

His appointment follows that of Chief Justice Narinder Hargun, who replaced former Chief Justice Ian Kawaley.

Mr Mussenden, who was appointed DPP in 2007 to 2016, served as the AG and Minister of Justice in 2004 after he was made Government Leader in the Senate in 2003.

He also served in the Royal Bermuda Regiment and retired as a Major, and as president of the Bermuda Football Association from 2001 to 2008 and then again between 2010 and 2016.

The former BFA president also served as chairman of Fifa’s appeals committee.

Bermuda-themed displays are taking to the streets in major metropolitan cities including Manhattan, in “street-side store windows and on the retail floors of Saks Fifth Avenue locations in New York City, Boston and Toronto this month”.

According to the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA), “the renewed partnership between the BTA and the upscale retailer is designed to show off Bermuda as a destination for all seasons just as consumers are thinking about seasonal wardrobe changes in the northeast.

• Photos Courtesy of BTA: Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City

POA President Timothy Seon & Lead Negotiator Thad Hollis On National Security Issues In Bermuda’s Prisons

News   |   March 24, 2019

Close to a year after the Minister of National Security, Wayne Caines launched an internal security review of Bermuda’s prisons, Bermuda Real can disclose that the issues are piling up for prisons officers employed by the Department of Corrections, with issues at the island’s maximum security prison reaching the tipping point.

Apart from the fact that members of the Prison Officers Association (POA) are coming up on ten years of working without a new wage agreement, POA President, Timothy Seon said that factor pales in comparison to the fact that Westgate has increasingly become a dumping ground for violent offenders who are mentally ill and dangerous.

That factor, coupled with the increasing list of problems associated with the state of the physical plant, malfunctions with plumbing, no hot water in some areas of the prison, a leaking roof and most notably – consistent problems due to mould, including health problems like respiratory ailments. We’re talking about a building built in 1994.

And there’s another big issue on the table right now, that ultimately shows the POA holding out on a Government proposal put on the table regarding health insurance.

As quiet as it’s kept, that issue surfaced before the change of Government, prior to the last General Election, under the One Bermuda Alliance administration.

Since the change of Government, the proposal remains on the table under the Progressive Labour Party administration.

What hasn’t changed is the POA’s position and stance against the proposal put before Bermuda’s fire fighters, police officers and prison officers. And according to the President of the POA , prison officers are adamant that they will continue to hold out.

Included in this story is the day-to-day issues prison officers are faced with, including the increasing use of drones to drop off contraband behind prison walls.

While announcing the review in the House of Assembly in July 2018, the Minister said: “Despite the challenges faced by the department, it strives to maintain high standards of security as this is essential to the safe operation of any corrections regime.

“In light of this, a security plan with stringent measures is in place to manage and mitigate the inherent risks that are associated with Corrections.

“The management and staff remain committed to meeting their objectives of rehabilitation, while ensuring the safety and security of the island’s correctional facilities,” said Mr Caines.

Nearly a year later, the POA says by no means are they working under conditions “essential to the safe operation” of Westgate Correctional Facility, when it has become a “dumping ground violent offenders who are also mentally ill and dangerous”.

We have a number of serious incidents on record, including prison officers who were seriously injured on the job, some who opted never to work in prisons ever again.

Bermuda Real has been in talks on this story for the past four weeks, and we’re finally ready to bring you the full story, on Tuesday, March 26 at 8am, when the Bermuda News Syndicate sits down live and direct with Timothy Seon, and the POA’s lead negotiator and advisor Thad Hollis on Fresh TV.

That’s this Tuesday, March 26 at 8am on Fresh TV live in studio – see you then!

BTA: Airbnb Partnership Nets Big Audience On Social Media

News   |   March 25, 2019

News Release: Hamilton, Bermuda (March 25, 2019) – A Bermuda Tourism Authority marketing partnership with Airbnb has turned in very impressive numbers on social media. A two-week long Bermuda-themed campaign this past December generated almost 5 million impressions among Facebook, Twitter and Instagram users in North America and Europe.

Facebook reached the most individuals in the campaign at about 3 million impressions, more than half the total. Twitter and Instagram split the remaining reach numbers, bringing the total reach to 4.8 million social media impressions. Importantly, data analysis also reveals that engagement rates of social media users during the Bermuda campaign were two to three times higher than a typical Airbnb social media promotion featuring a destination. Like impressions, the engagement rate (total impressions divided by clicks, likes, etc.) was especially strong on Facebook in North America and the United Kingdom.

“The campaign leveraged alluring photography provided by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and local photographer Meredith Andrews that were distributed through Airbnb’s impressive social channels,” said Victoria Isley, chief sales and marketing officer for the Bermuda Tourism Authority. “Bermuda’s interesting neighborhoods and experiential activities, as well as featured individual vacation rental listings, proved to be compelling content that generated excellent engagement and awareness within their social communities.”

Police Confirm Third 2019 Road Fatality Death Of 51-Year-Old Anthony Shawn Smith

News   |   March 28, 2019

The Bermuda Police Service has confirmed the death of 51-year-old Mr Anthony Shawn Smith and extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Mr Smith – understood to be a Pembroke resident – was seriously injured when the motorcycle he was riding east crashed over an embankment on Palmetto Road, Devonshire between Dock Hill and Parsons Lane around 3:40am Tuesday, March 26^th.

He was later found unconscious by a member of the public around 7:10am Tuesday in the trees along Palmetto Road near Dock Hill and rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

A Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to assist the deceased’s family at this difficult time.

A full investigation regarding this road fatality – the third of 2019 – continues and any witnesses are urged to call Constable Anton Gilbert on 247-1170 or 717-2338.

Man Barricades Himself In Building & Hurls ‘Unknown Corrosive Substance’ At Police

News   |   March 28, 2019

Police officers conducting checks in the area of the former Prison Headquarters building on Happy Road in Devonshire around 10:30am this morning, encountered a man who barricaded himself inside the building and then hurled “unknown corrosive substance them”.

A spokesman said the man in question threw the substance at the officers when they initially tried to approach him.

“No officers were injured,” he said.

“Ambulance and Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service personnel are also on scene as a precaution.

“Currently negotiations are underway with the man and further updates will be provided in due course.”

CURB On Hope Expressed By MP Derrick Burgess That ‘The Next DPP Is A Black, Born Bermudian’

News   |   March 30, 2019

News Release: Hamilton, Bermuda, March 29, 2019 – Deputy Speaker Mr Derrick Burgess recently stated in the House that he hoped the next DPP is a Black, born Bermudian. This preference of the Deputy Leader is understandable, given that he felt the indignity of Segregation, witnessed and experienced the gross inequities that continued in Bermuda post Segregation, and is aware of the many inequities that continue today. He recognizes that one of the ways we can repair the harm of the past is to proactively ensure that moving forward there is a more appropriate recognition of Black Bermudians’ value and expertise when it comes to positions of power and authority within our society. So he seeks fairness, a re-balance of the inequities of the past, and so voices that hope.

Some have called this racist, and from online blogs and Facebook it appears his statement has offended a great many people of European descent, with many saying, “It shouldn’t matter what color or gender the person is as long as the person is qualified and good at that job” or  “It should be the person best suited for the job, not dependent on their colour/race/creed/sex.”  These statements are valid and fit into what the CURB mission states “A Bermuda where skin colours favours no-one.”  However we recognise this is an ideal that we aim for, but in reality the Census statistics clearly show the continuing inequities in the work and hiring environment, with the gap widening every year.

Most of us intellectually and emotionally support these statements of fair and equal access, after all we’re good people and we realise this is the way it should be.  However, the reality is we are not there yet, and for many Black Bermudians this is not their reality and from their perspective they ask where have the voices of Whites been when these inequities continue to be visited on people of colour.

Just like Black Lives Matter activists are accused of reverse racism for asking not to be murdered by police; so are activists in Bermuda called racists for pointing out race and its inequities and asking for greater equality or access to opportunities.  This is not about flipping the script and giving Black Bermudians access over Whites, instead it is about fairness, access and opportunities that have been denied and continue to be denied to Black Bermudians.

For hundreds of years in Bermuda the edge, the advantages, access and the opportunities were primarily given to whites. Current day Census results continue to demonstrate these racial inequities.  Now when there is a call for equal access and fairness, it is viewed as reverse racism by whites.  It is not reverse racism, it is merely competition on a level playing field.  For those who have always had access it feels like reverse racism.

Black Bermudians continue to be passed over for employment opportunities, offered less compensation or are simply not hired despite having the requisite qualifications.   What is clear is that the facts show a much greater preference for the appointment of foreigners or Bermudians of European descent to positions of power or seniority both within our criminal justice system, and the broader work environment. This despite the fact that Black Bermudians are both highly educated and capable of being appointed to such positions and at 70% numerically make up the majority of the Bermudian population.

So as a society we must ask why is it that this imbalance continues?  What is it that makes people again, and again, pass over Bermudians of African descent?  How do we reconcile this reality with the statement on the Royal Gazette Facebook page that, “We just need to appoint the best person for the job no matter their skin color.”  We must ask ourselves what are we willing to do to repair the inequity that continues to harm our Black community today?  How can we ensure that stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination does not continue to influence decisions about who should be hired, promoted or gain access to opportunities?

The denial of race is a central narrative in the perpetuation of racism, and those who make claims of post-racialism, or who insist that to see race is to participate in racism only contribute to a growing divide.  We must acknowledge the past has left our society damaged and divided, recognize the need to repair the harm, and take action to ensure the imbalance and inequities do not continue.