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Government must end gang violence

It was merely a day after my last column was written that an amazing fracas broke out at Southampton Rangers.

If you can recall my article last week talked about drastic measures needed to be taken to assure families can go to watch a game and not have to worry about their safety.

Then Saturday arrives and players are running for their lives at Southampton Rangers. One can only imagine what would have happened had the players not escaped via taxi.

Reading Shaun Goater's article in yesterday's Royal Gazette, he is correct, this is a much bigger issue than football; this is a social issue.

Truthfully speaking, Government has to get involved. Somehow all the powers that be (Government, Police, BFA executives, security, clubs and who ever else can make a difference) have to get together and come up with a solution.

I would even go as far as saying football should cease for a week or two until this meeting is held and a contingency plan is put in place.

Again this is not a football issue, I want to make that clear, but it is still football related.

These issues are coming upon us on a regular basis at football games involving various teams playing against each other, that's a reality.

Mind you, on the field the players are doing their part by playing the game in good spirit and they need to be applauded for that. However, it is what is happening off the field that is a major concern.

Certain players' lives are in jeopardy every time they play at certain fields.

Players from certain clubs do not want to go and play at certain venues due to their lives being threatened or being put in jeopardy. This is not just in football; it happens in cricket too.

Who would have thought that our lovely country Bermuda would ever come to this? We as a country have to take our country back.

There are too many kids out there, young kids, searching for love and no-one to give it to them. Parents, I urge you to spend quality time with your child or children and show them love. Teach them what good values and morals are so that they can prosper and be good citizens in our society.

Being a teacher I know that the schools are trying their best to do their part.

Down at Whitney we emphasise discipline, good manners, respect and all of that, but it is what happens when the child goes home.

There has to be stability and love in that child's life. Yes, we are all going through hard times in Bermuda, but that's no excuse to neglect your child's needs. We have to show our kids more love and attention. Now do not get me wrong, I am not saying this is the solution but it's a starting point Bermuda.

I hate to say it but if we do not take serious action to eradicate this problem there is going to be a major situation on our hands soon. Let us not wait until we are burying some mothers' son before we take action. Meet, talk about it, and come up with a solution ASAP.

Lastly, I would also like to see the BFA reconsider their youth plan for the season.

Many parents are quarrelling about their children having idle time and we all know that's no remedy for eliminating trouble.

Our Bermuda kids have to be active.

Our kids love football. Therefore, if anything, let them play more football not less.

How many of us remember the saying, "Bermuda is another World"?

Well it is time we teach our kids about the real Bermuda and get our country back to how it used to be. Everybody loving everybody.