Police Chip in to Lend a Helping Hand to Families in Need With Several Christmas Initiatives

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is headed into the holidays full steam ahead, with several community initiatives taking places in the days leading up to Christmas Day.

Many police officers and support staff have gone out of their way to demonstrate that policing is not all about enforcement. We are all part of the community we serve, and these events are intended to support and thank the community over the holiday season.

A police spokeswoman said: “Through our daily engagement with the community we sometimes come into contact with people who are desperately in need of help, especially around the holidays, and we are committed doing what we can to help.

Officers attached to ‘B’ Watch Central helped to Christmas extra special for two Prospect Primary School students on Tuesday, December 12th.

“Over the past three years ‘B’ Watch Central have been involved in a community initiative they call ‘Give a child a Christmas’. Each year the Watch selects a school from the central parishes and asks the school guidance counselor to identify two students, male and female, whose families may need a helping hand during the Christmas holiday.

“The initiative came about, as a way of giving back to the community and showing a softer side of policing from frontline officers. The gifts include clothing, shoes, toys and grocery items donated by ‘B’ Watch Central,” she added.

Two departments held community events on Wednesday, December 13th. The Police Support Unit (PSU) hosted a Seniors’ Tea at the Royal Bermuda Regiment dining hall, which was attended by more than 150 seniors.

PC Damon Hollis provided entertainment with musical selections during the event, before a raffle draw. The top prize was “a very hefty Christmas Hamper generously donated by the Lions Club with all other prizes being donated by PSU head, Inspector Tracy Burgess.

The spokeswoman also extended “a very special thank you to” their sister agency the Royal Bermuda Regiment for lending “the use of their dining hall”.

The Community Action Team (CAT) presented Ms Brenda Fubler of Age Concern with food items, blankets, socks, toiletries and cleaning supplies, that will be distributed to seniors in need over the holiday season.

The items were donated by CAT officers, ‘D’ Watch Comops, Southside Police Station, several individual officers and the BGA Group of Companies.

CAT officers are set to deliver another Christmas Hamper “with a specific needs list to a senior citizen in the western parishes”.

The Serious Crime Unit have also been assisting with various helping agencies over the past five years. “Each year a different agency is selected by the officers in the unit,” the spokeswoman said. And this year they presented Teen Haven with a new desktop computer and toiletries for the five families there, including ten children currently living at the facility.

The donation was received by Executive Director Ms Michelle Wade and board member Ms Olga Scott.

“Ms Wade and her staff are extremely grateful for the donations made by the Serious Crime Unit and other members of the community this holiday season,” the spokeswoman said.

“Chief Inspector Astwood explained that the Serious Crime Unit are always dealing with serious offences. She and her team believe that giving back to the community, by showing that the police care about the social issues within the community, will eventually have a positive impact on future generations, ultimately helping to reduce crime.”