Revellers are being encouraged to “be a hero” and celebrate safely during the National Heroes Day holiday weekend.

Superintendent Sean Field-Lament, who outlined the Bermuda Police Service’s policing strategy yesterday, encouraged partygoers to look after themselves and their loved ones during the long weekend.

He added: “It’s Heroes Weekend, so be a hero and be your brother’s keeper and your sister’s keeper, and let’s just have a safe and responsible holiday.”

Police will have high visibility across all Carnival events during the weekend and will hold roadside sobriety checks in every parish from Friday until Monday.

Mr Field-Lament encouraged partygoers to have a transportation plan to get them to their destinations safely.

He said: “The main cause of accidents are alcohol and speeding, so if you eliminate speeding and eliminate alcohol then you should be fine.”

Mr Field-Lament warned road users that many events would take place on public roads, and urged people to be patient with road closures and the large numbers of people in attendance.

He said that roadblocks would be in place on some streets and that event organisers would have marshals joined by police, where needed.

Mr Field-Lament added that motorists should not park their vehicles anywhere that would obstruct the surrounding roads or driveways.

There are two J’Ouvert events on Monday morning, with one taking place at Bernard’s Park, Hamilton, and a government-sponsored event happening at City Hall. Both will take place between 3am and 9am.

Revel de Road, a parade-like event, will also go through Hamilton and Pembroke, including through some residential areas on Monday morning.

Mr Field-Lament said that this parade and other similar events, had noise permits and asked residents to be patient with celebrations.

However, he added that police would monitor noise levels and be available to address any complaints.

Mr Field-Lament advised partygoers to travel as a group or in pairs, to avoid walking through dimly-lit areas alone and to let others know of their whereabouts at all times.

He also warned those on the water to devise a “float plan” in case things go awry offshore, and to be sure that boating equipment was up to date.

Those in the water should not go swimming alone or in the dark, he said. Boaters should not drink while behind the wheel and have their boat’s registration decal up to date and prominently displayed.

Mr Field-Lament said: “I think this is something we all need. After the Covid hangover, I think we need something positive.”