Residents invited to learn how the upgraded island-wide network supports safety, protects privacy, and aids police
The installation of Bermuda’s upgraded island-wide CCTV system is now complete and close to being fully operational.
This update comes from Minister of National Security Michael Weeks, who is inviting residents to a town hall meeting later this week to learn how the network supports public safety, protects privacy, and assists law enforcement.
He will be joined by Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons and Privacy Commissioner Alexander White in a setting that aims to present the facts and give residents a voice.
“The aim ultimately is to make sure that we all understand that the CCTV is not here to be an invasion, but to help us all as a community feel safer,” said Minister Weeks.
The project was completed this month ahead of schedule, with 225 cameras now integrated across 130 locations.
According to the Ministry of National Security, an expansion phase is already underway, with plans to add 20 more sites.
Minister Weeks hopes the upcoming town hall will give residents greater peace of mind about the system’s benefits but also offered a reminder that public safety remains a shared responsibility.
“What I hope to take from the town hall meeting for that that attend, is that any fears can be alleviated as far as the privacy is concerned,” he said. “But I want to stress while I’m talking about it, having the cameras doesn’t mean that we as a community become complacent. We all still have our part to do in helping our community to remain safe. So as I’ve always said, if you see something, say something. So don’t get lulled into the false premise that we’ve got our CCTV cameras up now, I don’t have to participate in community safety. The cameras are only part of the overall us working together to keep us all safe.”
While the system is fully installed, some fine-tuning is still in progress.
“We are complete, but I wouldn’t say at this point in time we’re 100% operational because it’s still got some things to work out, but we’re very, very close,” said Weeks. “I’m excited about it and I’m really confident that the system that we promised the country that we will have – we are very much there now. It’s giving the police another tool in their arsenal of helping to address crime, hopefully get investigations completed quicker and you know to give the everyday Mister and Missus Bermuda safety knowing that there’s a CCTV camera there – you know, somehow if something goes wrong, it could help them.”
Minister Weeks also noted that the presence of cameras may help deter some people from committing crimes.
However, it will still be some time before the system can be used to issue speeding tickets.
“Speed cameras is phase two, and we are already testing some of the cameras and there’s some legislation involved in having speed cameras to be able to send you a ticket in the mail and whatnot,” he explained. “But rest assured that phase two hopefully will be well on its way in the first quarter of 2026. So, beware those of you — not you personally — but those that want to break the law and speed and whatnot, that there will be a camera coming near you.”
The town hall meeting will be held on Thursday from 6 pm to 8 pm at St. Paul AME Centennial Hall in Hamilton.
