Number One car park will be closed for most of this month as HSBC Bermuda celebrates the opening of its new Front Street headquarters.

The City of Hamilton yesterday announced the closure between May 11 and May 21.

Chief Operating Officer and Secretary Edward Benevides said: "The City of Hamilton is pleased to work with HSBC Bermuda on the occasion of the grand opening of their new building, Harbourview Centre, on Front Street."

From May 13 through 15 free parking will be offered in the eastern half of the lot.

Alternative parking is available at City Hall, Par-la-Ville and the Bulls Head car parks.

Mr. Benevides added: "HSBC Bermuda will be offering free car parking at Number One car park on Saturday, May 22, and May 25 through 29 inclusive, to thank the public for its cooperation and understanding."

Forum on youth planned

A lunchtime round table discussion on young people and youth violence will take place tomorrow.

Organised by Imagine Bermuda, 'Community Challenges: How we got here – Pathways to a better Future' will feature social psychologist Marcelo Ramella, former Commissioner of Police Jonathan Smith and statistician Cordell Riley.

Dr. Ramella, who lectured at the London School of Economics before moving to Bermuda, served in 2002 on a U.K. Home Office project addressing the matter of marginalised youth, called Positive Future Project.

Mr. Smith will speak on Police efforts to come grips with the challenges of youth crime and Mr. Riley will use his background as a statistician to evaluate trends amongst young people. The round table will then be thrown open to a wider discussion.

The dialogue will take place from 12.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Astwood Hall, just off Court and Church Streets.

E-mail fubler@northrock.bm before noon today to reserve a light lunch.

Police comment on security

The Bermuda Police Service have refused to confirm or deny whether New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's bodyguards are allowed to carry guns in Bermuda.

The New York Times last week reported that Mayor Bloomberg, who frequently spends weekends at his Tucker's Town home, was accompanied by two New York City Police officers who carried their guns with them in Bermuda.

Guns are strictly prohibited in Bermuda and may only be owned and used in very specific circumstances.

Last week, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the Mayor's security detail does not carry guns while in Bermuda.

In response to inquiries, the Police released the following statement on Thursday: "Ever since Mayor Bloomberg has come to Bermuda in his official capacity as Mayor there has been good communication between the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) Special Branch.

"There are established protocols in place; however, we will not discuss the specifics of those protocols."