An increased budget will translate to investments in new equipment and staff for the Ministry of National Security.

Michael Weeks, the minister, said at a press conference this morning that the ministry was allocated $136.9 million, a 7 per cent increase year-on-year.

He added: “We are investing in personnel. We are investing in prevention. We are investing in infrastructure. We are investing in equipment that will serve Bermuda for years to come.

“The safety and security of this country require steady, disciplined and strategic planning.

“This Budget reflects that approach and will have a direct impact on the welfare and safety for all those who call Bermuda home.”

Mr Weeks said that the additional $9 million was intended to support “specific and deliberate priorities” including salary uplifts and recruitment efforts, including the filling of new posts in the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard.

He said: “These are responsible investments in the people who protect this country and provide a safe environment in which we can live and our children can grow.

“Within that same operational increase, we are expanding violence protection and intervention work as part of our National Violence Reduction Strategy.”

Mr Weeks said that the Gang Violence Reduction Team was renamed the Violence Reduction Team to reflect the broader scope of the body’s work in the community, stating that not all violence on the island is related to gangs.

He added: “The gang violence aspect that we are experiencing in Bermuda, that is still a very concerning piece, but the violence reduction team is not only responding to gang-related violence.

“They are out there in schools, they are doing more mediation, they are assisting in different forms of violence.

“Not all violence is gang related. Sometimes they may be at the bus terminal and they may be intervening in some trouble they may see.”

The funding also includes support for antiviolence campaigns, public awareness programmes and the establishment of an adolescent substance abuse treatment programme.

“Substance abuse and violence are often connected, particularly among young people who lack support guidance,” Mr Weeks said.

“Early, structured treatment interrupts that cycle before it escalates into criminal behaviour.

“Addressing addiction directly while providing preventive programmes is a responsible way to reduce long-term social and economic costs.”

Mr Weeks said that the Budget also included capital expenditure on police vehicles and equipment, along with extensive renovations at the police headquarters.

The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service will also receive $850,000 for a new fire truck, while the Customs Department will receive funding for a purpose-built facility to house a new dock scanner.

Mr Weeks added: “Border protection must evolve alongside evolving threats, and this funding ensures that customs officers are supported with the tools and infrastructure required to perform their duties diligently and effectively.”

He said the new scanner would be a useful tool to stem the flow of drugs and firearms into the country, alongside bolstered support for the coastguard.

Mr Weeks said that the Customs Department hoped to hire another 20 staff to assist with border protection.

Responding to questions, Mr Weeks said that the CCTV improvement work was “about 90 per cent complete”.

He added: “We are right now in the stages of testing speed cameras, so we are definitely on course to having the whole project done by the end of the summer.”

The minister said that the speed cameras will be another tool in the arsenal to address the manner of driving in Bermuda.

Mr Weeks confirmed that there had initially been a concern about the cameras’ ability to operate in the dark, but work had been done to address that issue without additional cost to the Government.

He said he would be supportive of a review of legislation to assist in improving behaviour on Bermuda’s roads.

Mr Weeks said: “I aim to work closely with the Attorney-General and her office as much as I can, but any review of legislation would have to come through her office.”

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Minister Weeks Budget 2026 remarks