Police on Easter Kites & Hummers: ‘Let’s Not Make Things Even More Difficult For Each Other’

With the Easter season upon us, and everybody Sheltering at Home the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) anticipate  an increase in the Bermudian tradition of  kite flying.

The BPS, understands that as Easter approaches many Bermudians will take advantage of being at home and will try to fly kites from their residences.

However, we note that there has also been an increase in persons making reports to the BPS of loud kites, kites fitted with what are traditionally called hummers, disturbing their peace, particularly with people being home all day.

Whilst the BPS is sympathetic to kite enthusiasts, particularly at this time of year, we must also be sensitive to those who make reports and must be seen to uphold the law. The BPS Parish Constable have recently held a number of Town Hall style meetings to address these concerns and to remind the public that Section 18a of the Summary Offences Act 1926 states:

“It is an offence for any person who in any public place flies any kite to the annoyance or danger of any passenger or frequenter.”

In most cases when the BPS are called to investigate such reports, the kite flyers have been reasonable and taken down their kites, however in some cases persons have been and will continue to be placed before the courts if they continue to fly kites in a manner that disturbs their neighbours.

We currently are all facing unprecedented times. The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and the restrictions implemented to prevent its spread, have everyone now Sheltering at home. We therefore urge kite enthusiasts to take this into consideration, in the days leading up to Good Friday and to additionally be careful not to have kite strings and monofilament fall across power lines and their neighbours yards.

Let’s not make things even more difficult for each other during this already testing time.