Progressive Minds

"Common sense solutions", i.e. more effective policing, seem to be all that anyone can muster up when events like this occur, but it does nothing to curb individuals' DESIRE to behave the way they have been. the real solution lies in combating what drives this anti-social behavior in the first place. although it sounds nice, does anyone really feel that more 'on the beat' police officers will prevent violence? The resulting violence may be less brazen, but if someone wants to kill or seriously injure a fellow Bermudian, he will find a way to do it whether or not there is a police officer on every street corner. I cannot see how the police can commit more ACTION in cases like this if Bermuda's culture of keeping your mouth shut when the police ask questions doesn't change.

Given the apparent culture inside our public high schools (most notably the recent gang violence), I think that is the perfect place to start. Gang members in general are pretty young, and there are undoubtedly current and future gang members roaming the halls today. I'm not going to pretend that I have the answers for tackling this culture, but I do know that it won't be as simple as better policing. That's just lazy ideology and deflects accountability away from those who responsible for shaping these individuals and gangs.

I'm not sure what effect TM would have on the development of Bermuda's youth, but I doubt it would be a bad thing and I 100% agree that the schools is where this cultural problem needs to be addressed. By the time it makes it to the street it is already too late. Locking people up for longer periods also seems crude and overly simple. If people are not worried about the punishment this sort of behavior warrants already, I doubt increasing it is going to make any difference. The thing is, I don't imagine any of these guys plan on getting caught. One law I would support is one that makes gang membership a criminal offense, as it is something that is easy to identify (anyone around magistrates court last week can attest to that).

p.s. its cite... not site.

@ Rocksolid - I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume it's just a coincidence, but using the term Governor General is at best just wrong, and at worst yet ANOTHER attempt of a coordinated piece of spin by the PLP.

For those that don't know:
The term Governor General or Governor-General refers to a vice-regal representative of a Monarch in an independent realm.

whereas we have a Governor:
In the United Kingdom's remaining overseas territories the governor is normally a direct appointee of the British Government and plays an active role in governing and lawmaking (though usually with the advice of elected local representatives). The Governor's chief responsibility is for the Defence and External Affairs of the colony.

Once again, just trying to slip a word of truth into the spin-cycle, lest people view and use this site as anything more than propoganda.

This Social Ill must be dealt with head on, point blank! No political persuasions, ideologues, pundits or columnists have the sole answers and if anything, it is just half bastardized approaches at best (i.e. TM). And this is directed to the general comments I hear and read. I agree to the actions the Governor and Police Commissioner are taking but this is only a knee jerk reaction. Our police force need to get tough on gang violence and our politicians need to review and change the law books. I am for longer sentences for repeated offenders, drug violators and especially murderers. In the same breath, I would say we need to improve/add rehabilitation programs that can go many lengths to improve troubled individuals.

We need to also, as a community, work on our roles in improving society. Like mentioned above, we got to stamp this ill out from the youth. We must do it in the home, schools, and the wider environment because the little attitudes and misdemeanors that come from "we adults," are analyzed, sponged into and acted out by the young. In my opinion, there should be a "Big Conversation" on this issue before it really becomes out of hand and solutions are harder to seek. We need to brain-storm solutions mostly on social influences that galvanizes negative experiences.

On this issue, everything needs to be on the table-there is no time for passiveness.