Imposing harsher conditions in the Island’s prisons and handing out life sentences for gun possession were some of the “tough love” solutions proposed at an anti-violence meeting last night.Dozens of men from religious denominations across the Island gathered at St Paul’s AME Centennial Hall to take a hard look at Bermuda’s problems with gangs and violence.Led by Reverend Michael Barclay, the men discussed simple solutions, like going in pairs to talk with young men in affected communities; and harder ones, like putting legislation in place so people caught with guns could be liable to face life behind bars.One resident from St Monica’s Road pointed out that there were no local MPs present for the discussion: “You pay them enough money and they should have been here.“You are in a position to call on your Government and if they do not do their job you are in a position to take a vote of no confidence.”The man said he had lived in the United States for 17 years and when crime had gotten out of hand, the area mayor imposed a curfew, which all residents had to abide by.The same should be done in Bermuda before schools come out, he said, adding: “Those summer parties [people] are planning won’t work because there is going to be a plan in place.”The bold speaker said discipline needed to be enforced in homes and schools and suggested that parents be held accountable if their children were caught with drugs or weapons inside the home.The Island’s customs workers should have their schedules regularly changed, with no more than an hour notice, according to the man; and soldiers with the Bermuda Regiment should be called in to search flights arriving to the Island.“You are to fight dirt with dirt, to clean up the dirt,” he said.His other ideas included: forcing all gang members to turn up at National Stadium to fight out their problems with their fists; and clamping down on cards, checkers, televisions and other “comforts” in the Island’s prisons.He said inmates didn’t need three square meals a day and could survive on two; and said convicted felons should be responsible for cleaning up graffiti and litter around the Island as an added punishment.Another man claimed Westgate was not a punishment for many young men today and said jail time wasn’t deterring people for committing these crimes.“I have been in prison to do time and having your freedom taken away isn’t an easy thing. In Bermuda there are people that look forward to doing time. They eat, they get fed and they play cards.“They are not really being deterred by going to the institution of prison. It’s supposed to be rehabilitation that when you go to prison you have been dealt with and you are more intent to become accountable for your actions.”He said the Island’s politicians needed to put some legislation in place.He suggested that people caught with a gun be forced to serve a life sentence and those convicted of using a gun be given the death penalty.The man said two, three or four people would be “sacrificed” and then a “ripple effect would take place”: “Others will get the message that Government and the system is not playing,” the man said.Changing topics he said while he appreciated and liked guest workers, there was a serious problem when a country had so many guest workers at a time when local people were out of work.This was breeding discontent, he said, and urged politicians to put more laws in place to safeguard local jobs.Jason Lowe, a young man moderating the discussion, said the Island’s leaders needed to be organised in their attempts to stomp out crime.He said gang members and others committing these crimes were very organised: “Why don’t you think they get caught, because they are organised.”In addition to order, he said the Island needed to foster a sense of togetherness and have a common understanding of what the goals are.“When one person doubts the vision there is no progression,” Mr Lowe added.Reverend Michael Barclay suggested that male church members pair up and go talk to the young men involved “to see what’s on their mind and tell them what is on your mind”.He also suggested sending those involved with gang activity to Darrell’s Island, teach them to be missionaries and then send them back out into the world.United Bermuda Party election candidate Jeff Sousa said: “What we need in Bermuda is tough love.”The owner of Sousa’s Landscape Management Co. said when the store was first opened his work force was 100 percent Bermudian.Recently he has tried to train several young men in the trade, but said some arrive late or not at all, text constantly while at work, and in one case even steal from the business.He believes some young men today aren’t interested in working with tools and have instead been seduced by the “glamorous” drug trade.“These guys feel they are entitled,” Mr Sousa added.Another man in the audience said the problem was rooted in the fact that so many children were having children.Many of these young people have no idea how to raise and train their children, because they have yet to mature in the ways of the world.“Who will be feeding these children?” the man asked.