The Premier today called for foot patrols and the Police mobile command centre to be deployed in trouble spots to clamp down on violence.

He, Deputy Premier Paula Cox and Home Affairs Minister David Burch, met with Governor Sir Richard Gozney and the Police Commissioner George Jackson this morning.

The meeting was called in the wake of shootings over the weekend which left 27-year-old Kenwandee Robinson dead and four others injured.

In a statement this afternoon, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda I advocated, in the strongest possible terms, that the Governor and the Bermuda Police Service act as follows in response to recent events:

* Deploy foot patrols (officers walking the beat) in recognised trouble spots and/or neighbourhoods

* Deploy the mobile command centre in trouble spots as a base from which to mount and conduct operations and to restore public confidence in affected areas

* A paradigm shift in deployment theory that emphasises sustained, regular policing (as set out above) in Bermuda's neighbourhoods and at recognised trouble spots.

“It is our hope as a Government that these actions, particularly in the St. Monica's Road, Parsons Road and Court Street areas, will be implemented swiftly and the regular policing of Bermuda’s neighbourhoods will be sustained operationally.

“With 468 Policemen and women, higher pay and increased recruitment, I am confident that our country can be properly protected and the people of Bermuda made to feel safe.”

A statement from Government House, issued before the Premier’s, said: “The Bermuda Police Service is in a stronger position than 12 or 18 months ago, with more Police officers, higher pay and stronger recruitment.

“The Governor and the Police service are acutely aware of the public expectation of the role which the Police play as part of the overall effort to curb the sort of ghastly violence seen at the weekend. They know that the Bermudians of the most affected areas are looking for reassurance on the ground.”

The statement said as a result:

* Some steps have been taken; for example the number of Armed Response vehicles, which patrol with armed Police officers, has been doubled

* Other steps are in hand and will be announced or become apparent soon

* Other work will continue behind the scenes.

* See tomorrow's Royal Gazette for more on the weekend's violence.