And some are now taking extra precautions to protect themselves in a country that they feel is becoming increasingly infested by crime.

Mrs. Frances Vlaughn , 81, said she no longer felt safe in Bermuda. "We never use to have all this crime we're having now,'' she said. "What can you do about it. I protect my home.

"I don't believe that sentencing for crimes is harsh enough. If it was, people would not do the things they do.'' Mr. Henry Charles said: "Crime in Bermuda is getting worse and worse, and its drug related.

"We have to be educated, but there is no way we can stop it. The cat 'o nine tails should be reintroduced publicly, and if you're caught using drugs you should be severely dealt with.'' Mrs. Irmgard Ong-Aban said: "I think people should be more conscious, but I don't think Bermuda has become a more dangerous place.

"Sentencing for criminals is not harsh enough because if you're the right colour you will get off.'' Mr. Leon C.H. Furbert said: "There are more crazy people in Bermuda these days. Everyone is looking for something for nothing. People have to return to God through the Commandments.'' Ms Nadine Francis agreed Bermuda had become a more dangerous place to live, citing an increase in the number of murders. She added that drug related crimes were also on the rise.

Mr. Carlos Caisey said Bermuda had only become dangerous in certain parts.

"Right now, black Bermudians are suppressed and they're taking their frustrations out on others by committing crimes.'' But Mr. Andre Bassett contended Bermuda was still a safe place to live.

"What has happened is that crime and drugs has become more open. It now effects everyone not just certain sectors of the community.'' Mr. Jermaine DeSilva noted an escalation in the number of stabbings and related crimes. "People are under so much pressure that whenever the slightest problem surfaces they just want to resort to violence.'' Mr. Keith McPherson said: "Bermuda hasn't become dangerous for me, but for other people it has in certain aspects. You can't trust everyone like you used to.

"A lot of the youths are on drugs and that's where the crimes are committed.

People are not able to find jobs.

"Visitors who come to Bermuda with drugs should not be locked up, they should be given a heavy fine and sent back home. They should also be banned from coming back to the Island. However, drugs cannot be stopped.'' Mrs. Maureen Purser agreed that crime was directly related to the increase in the use of drugs.

"Because people are desperate for money to buy drugs they'll do anything, (commit) any violent act. We need the Police Force back up to scratch. They are overworked and there is not enough policing around.'' Mrs. Hazel Clifford also agreed that due to the drug problem Bermuda was becoming a more dangerous place. "Drugs have increased crime and because of that we now lock our car and our home which we never used to do. We used to be more trusting.'' But Mrs. Kathy Marshall said if Bermuda had become more dangerous she hadn't noticed it since she moved to the Island 16 years ago.

"I feel very safe with my children in Bermuda. I'm not worried that anyone will take them if they are outside playing. I think the sentencing for people who do commit crimes is very strict, a lot better than the US.'' Mrs. Hazel Clifford Mrs. Irmgard Ong-Aban Mrs. Frances Vlaughn Mr. Leon C.H. Furbert Ms Nadine Francis