At the second Town Hall on gun and gang violence, community members call for more support during childhood
Government held its second Town Hall addressing gun and gang violence this week, at Penno’s Wharf in St George’s.
Governor Andrew Murdoch, Minister of National Security Michael Weeks, and Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons hosted an audience from the east end.
The Governor reiterated the ongoing work of the Governor’s Council, formed in September to discuss internal security and policing, with an emphasis on violent crime and gun violence.
Governor Murdoch sought to assure those in the room that the Governor’s Council, which met for the third time this week, is “not just a talking shop”…
He said, “some of the things that you’ll hear about from the Commissioner and the Minister tonight include things about resourcing – that includes people, police, equipment, surveillance, CCTV, other types of measures to better investigate, detect, deter crime… look at ways of protecting witnesses so they feel safe and giving evidence.”
“…also looking at who’s involved in organized crime, not just those on the front line, but those who are behind the scenes, often making a great deal of money out of others… inciting these incidents, organizing, but never getting their hands dirty… but often profiteering from it. And there are ways to to target the money.”
“So, these are all things that are being looked at and considered, and obviously there’s legislation to be considered and taken up by government.”
Police Commissioner Darrin Simons went on to provide an extended report on what the force has been doing in response to gun violence – in particular since the shooting at Legend’s Bar in Somerset in May. (watch HERE, starting from 27:30)
Michael Weeks, Minister of National Security put an emphasis on prevention, with work to expand after-school programmes and creating more pathways into trades and apprenticeships.
“We must reach our young people before the gangs do”, he said.
Education and community support were ongoing themes among attendees, with one commenter saying “we gotta get them when they’re young…”
“When I was growing up”, he said, “I knew my neighbours, and they knew me. They were like my second fathers, my second mothers…”
Another commenter said we have to understand “what these young folks are feeling, and what they’re thinking about… and not talk down to them.”
“When they gravitate to the streets, they call these people family because that’s the only one that might listen to them. So we have to be a family like Bermuda once was.”
Another commenter who works for court services said a lot of the people he works with have not finished school, and need to be taught life skills.He lamented that they need people willing to
give them opportunities, but they can face unforgiveness when it is revealed they have a criminal past.
The impact of the rising cost of living was also brought up by attendees.
One commenter spoke of a parent he knows having to work three jobs, and he asked “what are your children doing while you’re working?”
Another young attendee said, “there’s a lot of kids who are my age who want to go to college, but they have to help their families, so they can’t afford to go to college.”
Watch the full Town Hall discussion HERE.
