Police yesterday warned would-be lawbreakers that officers would be out in full to ensure "a peaceful and safe time" over the Bermuda Day holiday.

And CADA and the Road Safety Council both encouraged residents to do their part by practising responsible behaviour.

At a joint press conference Superintendent James Howard said the entire Police staff is to work over the holiday aided by 100 reserve officers and CCTV operators.

He said the Police Support Unit "will also be fully staffed and will be deployed in a highly visible, proactive patrol pattern" and Marine Police would also be out to ensure safety at the start of the boating season.

"We are intent on deterring those members of the public that might seek to disrupt the holiday with acts of violence and criminality," he said. "This unit will be paying particular attention to incidents of public disorder, weapons possession and public drug misuse. Certainly, those persons who are not deterred by the presence of the Police and commit these offences can expect to be promptly arrested and delivered to the courts."

Supt. Howard asked residents to show "respect and courtesy" toward each other, especially with loud music complaints a traditional feature of the holiday.

However, he said officers' main concern would be keeping control of the holiday traffic.

"Between the Marathon Derby and other road races in the morning, the parade in the afternoon, the dinghy races and a busy nighttime economy in the City of Hamilton, thousands of spectators will be travelling on our roads during that period."

He continued: "We are asking the public to exercise care, caution and courtesy while driving, especially when considering the high volume of collisions that occurred last year. Additionally, we encourage members of the public not to drive if they have consumed any quantity of alcohol; even if they think they are below the legal limit. This zero-tolerance approach will go a long way to reduce collisions and keep our roads safe for everyone."

CADA executive director Gillian Freelove-Jones also spoke on the importance of responsible alcohol behaviour.

"As the Bermuda Day holiday approaches CADA's message is, don't drink and drive and finding alternatives to drinking and driving is as simple as ABC," she said explaining that A stood for abstain, B for bus it, and C for cab or couch it at a friend's.

David Minors of the Road Safety Council said the holiday could pass without incident if residents adhered to the speed limit, ensured helmets were fastened correctly, properly secured children in the rear seats of vehicles and did not drink and drive.

Police statistics of incidents during last year's Bermuda Day holiday from May 23 to 27:

• 23 road traffic collisions, ten of which resulted in personal injury

l Four reports of loud music

l 14 reports of annoying persons

l 11 disturbances including fighting in public

l 11 marine violations including speeding and unregistered vessels

l 17 incidents of a domestic violence nature

l 13 assault reports, two of which were complaints of robbery

l Three arrests for impaired driving