Last week Government announced it was to explore setting up a SWAT team in Bermuda to combat violence, as well as looking at laws to make parents more responsible for the actions of their children.

The Royal Gazette asked readers for their reaction. Here are some of your responses:

John Manderson told us: "Bermuda already has a SWAT team. They are called ERT: Emergency Response Team and they are every bit as well trained as they need to be. They probably could use more numbers, but that goes for the whole Police service, but seeing as Bermudians don't want to join and Bermudians (some) don't want to bring in foreign assistance, the numbers are not likely to improve."

Another reader, who called themselves a crime prevention specialist, said: "It is my belief that this approach is heavy handed.

"A Bermuda SWAT team will send a negative message to our visitors that Bermuda is no longer a safe destination and to our community that Government is out to wage war on our soil."

Graeme Outerbridge said: "No, Bermuda does not need a SWAT team – rather they need a special forces team and community leaders working to build community in every parish."

Michael and Helena Williams, from Ontario, wrote: "Many people that we come into contact with here in Niagara Falls, Ontario, are asking us 'what is happening to your Bermuda, and is it safe to go there for a visit?"

"We now read in The Royal Gazette that The Premier has requested a SWAT team be formed to combat serious crime that prevails on the Island. With the recent murders still fresh on everyones mind, and the news of a SWAT team to be implemented, leaves many people re-considering any idea of visiting the island. My question to the Premier is 'do you have any idea what this type of news is doing to those potential visitors?"

"As an aside point, you may not think a great deal of The Royal Gazette, but I can assure you it has a tremendous following on the internet."

This response came from a frequent visitor to the Island: "I've been to Bermuda more times than I can remember and I never see the Police where they should be.

"I never lived there but I can tell you where a lot of the bad guys hang out but the cops can't find them. Why is that?

"From Naval Field to Court Street there are known hang outs and drug spots that have been around since I was a kid. Come on, there is a Police station right down the road from Naval Field and a stone's throw from Spinning Wheel and I never ever see cops patrolling.

"I think the youth are getting way out of hand because there aren't any Police around 99 percent of the time. Where are the cops and what do they do all day? It seems they are more worried about unlicensed drivers and tinted windows than real crime.

"I heard all the way out in Jersey about Parkside boys acting up at Greg's Steakhouse and the cops were probably at headquarters having a limbo contest.

"If the Police just happened to be around Elbow Beach maybe Kellon would be at college making a difference in the world. Maybe Police should have been busting up the hangout on Princess Street and then maybe Prince wouldn't have gotten shot.

"What do you need SWAT for? SWAT is for hostage situations and armed standoffs. The cops have more than enough guns to fight what might already be on the streets.

"What you need is a gang task force like we have in some cities in the States. Put about ten armed cops in a van and send them out to randomly harass your unfriendly neighbourhood wall lizards on a regular basis.

"Maybe cops should be allowed to carry weapons now. You have to adjust with the times. These 21st century youngsters aren't afraid of unarmed foreign cops in Bermuda. One ignorant kid with a gun will beat a car full of cops with batons every time."

A reader called Christie said that Bermuda needed to have zero tolerance for gang behaviour and to dismiss taps on the wrist, conditional discharges and suspended sentences. She also said to give help to those who need it.

"I believe that a law should be made in which persons' 'gangs' should NOT be able to loiter in any parts of the Island, young or old.

"There should not be groups of men sitting around all hours of the day and morning 'protecting/claiming a territory' (grounds for criminal activity).

"It's absurd, this is not a way of staying out of trouble or minding their own business. In this case of non-employment, the hustle truck should be made mandatory and/or stiff fines and jail time until employment.

"Speaking on Dr. Ewart Brown's statement 'action against drug dealers in Bermuda will soon get so tough people may think it will infringe their human rights', it's about time! Things are getting WAY out of hand and enough is enough!"

Another concerned respondent, C. Louise, said that parents should not be imprisoned but held accountable through fines.

The reader also felt that parents and offenders should be required to take life skill classes.

"When children and their parents face delinquency in court, on the first occurrence, that family should be court ordered to attend anger management classes, anti-social behaviour classes and be put under a strict order with school attendance and achievement.

"There is an abundance of classes and counselling that can be ordered by the courts that can help families.

"Due to bitterness during separations between parents some kids act out because the custodial and non-custodial parents don't know how to co-parent after separation."

C. Louise said that parents allow personal vendettas against eachother spill over to the children, which usually has long-term residual effects on the children such as violent behaviour.

"They let their personal hurts and issues spill over with some sort of aggression. The kids are elements of their environment eventually and take that behaviour out into the streets and practice it."

C. Louise highlighted that often, when couples are at odds, through divorce or a similar situation, parents bad mouth each other or withhold visitations, which negatively impacts the child. For that, the reader feels a parent should be reprimanded.

"Most of these perpetrators are women, the same women who will be in court sobbing about their emotionally damaged babies, whom they damaged.

"Bermudians are asking what has become of Bermuda. Stop sweeping dirt under the rug and thinking the house is clean. Stop thinking that if the family does not discuss something then all is well. Those children are not committing these crimes because of TV and Rap music.

"The divorced/single mothers who have custody are there, but really not there for the kids. Having to work long hours, over time, or two jobs to compensate for a lost income."

Another reader said: "I believe that parents should be prosecuted for their children's criminal behaviour.

"It has been done in other places. This will force parents to physically pay attention to what's happening in their children's lives and it will give them a wake-up call.

"You can't leave children to just grow up, they need to be brought up and taught good values, and most of all, they need spiritual direction. Not too many children go to Sunday school anymore."

Another person felt no one should face trial for the criminal behaviour of someone else.

"The parents must be there to answer as parents. If a kid commits an offence at 12.30 a.m. surely someone should ask the parent what this minor was doing out at that hour unsupervised, and expect an answer. Parents should have to answer stuff like that.

"We can all jump on the parents and put the burden of popular opinion squarely on their shoulders, but there are those parents who are struggling to do their very best, but they need help, and don't know how or where to get it. I would hate for these good people to get caught up in the surge.

"There was talk at one time about creating a school for children who were hard to manage in a conventional school/social setting. What happened to that idea? It's certainly not a new idea.

"Years ago there was Nonsuch Island and The Training School [for youths with behavioural problems].

"Several of my friends that I grew up with were sentenced there, and most of the kids that ended up 'on the island' or 'down training school' had dedicated, hardworking, God fearing and law abiding parents.

"The Island and the Training School graduated some exemplary citizens, some of whom have become quite wealthy business people.

"Parents should have access to this kind of help when they/the courts think that it is necessary. If you wait until they become teenagers it's kind of almost too late."

Another concerned reader, signing themsevles Mohican Islander for a Better Bermuda, wrote that instead of erecting more tall buildings, the money should go towards building youth centres and other youth focused activities.

"I am a new parent of a 12-week-old. No one, I believe, is a 'good parent'. There is no rulebook on parenting. Only a 'behaviour' torch that is handed down.

"I'm sure the Premier and David Burch, when they were teenagers, were out getting into mischief, all teenagers did at some point, some more than others.

"Parents have a hard enough time dealing with trying to keep a family together and surviving and now you want to add to that stress for what you are proposing?

"How can the Premier's 'bulldog', (David Burch), be allowed to refer to Bermudian children as 'Mummy's little puppy'...( RG 08/23/'08, pg 2)?

"If we were to get technical, shouldn't the Premier stand trial for all his son's wrongdoings?

"If we were to judge him like the Government is about to judge us as parents based on our offspring's actions, would he be a good 'role model' for 'good' parenting?

"Is David Burch? No, I think neither have the constitutional right to even propose such ideology!

Solution:

"How about instead of putting up so many office buildings and environmentally destroying the Island, improve the youth and community centres with real programs that actually fit the community that it supports.

"Bring back teen entertainment and teen summits, remember that?

"Finish the National Stadium with an Olympic size pool and state of the art training facility, a possible way to take kids off the streets.

"Tap into our youth through more successful sports run by qualified Bermudian trainers and coaches. Something other than a failing cricket program. Look towards the Olympics Mr. Premier and David Burch for your inspiration.

"Show some National pride for Bermuda and its people.

"So now it's time to start leading, instead of coming up with unrealistic solutions that will not solve the problem, only create more problems for you... me and my fellow countrymen!"

Wilhelm Sack, of Puerto Rico, wrote: "I read with sadness your articles on line about youth crime, murder, shootings and SWAT teams etc.

Being a frequent visitor to Los Angeles (California) in the later evening one notices the absence of youngsters around or "gangs" as you might call.

"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger maintains very firm laws and curfews for youngsters under 16 years of age, they are not allowed on the streets or public places after 10 p.m. unless they are with an adult. Youngsters alone being arrested and the parents being held responsible. I was also told one of the reasons of this law is to help to eliminate the CREATION of GANGS, the introduction to youngsters to drugs on the streets and most important keep the families together and it makes it a safer place to be. Young people are the future and they have to be guided and protected.

"Something to think about.. before you introduce more guns...mind you, a lot of places could use this curfew law, not just Bermuda."