Armed Response Vehicles are to patrol the areas where two drive-by shootings took place at the weekend.

The Bermuda Police Service is to double its ARVs to an undisclosed number and to deploy officers on a 24/7 basis.

Patrols will monitor the neighbourhoods of St. Monica’s Road and Court Street but will also be deployed to areas “where suspected firearms activity is likely to take place”, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mike Jackman.

Mr. Jackman joined Police Commissioner George Jackson this afternoon in announcing a raft of policing measures to beef up officers’ presence on the streets of Bermuda.

The measures follow the death of Kenwandee Robinson, 27, and gunshot wounds to four other men in two drive-by shootings at the weekend. Gunfire was also reported in the Curving Avenue area of Pembroke.

Detectives believe the incidents are gang-related.

Mr. Jackson said: “This is a new era of policing and the Bermuda Police Service is acutely aware of the fears and the apprehension that exists in our community.

“When these acts of violence take place, it shakes the very core of our existence here in Bermuda.

“We would like to reassure the public that the Bermuda Police Service is capable of and very committed to dealing with the challenges at hand and is committed to using all of the legal options available to us to achieve our goals.”

See tomorrow’s Royal Gazette for the full story.