If Bermuda wants a better future, Bermudians need to start paying attention to the children, according to Family Centre Director Martha Dismont.

Mrs. Dismont said it was fine to have peace marches, but changes needed to happen in individual lives.

Speaking after reading excerpts written by children from Northlands and Victor Scott primary schools about how the recent violence has affected them, she said: "There's a lot of stuff going on out there.

"There are a lot of people trying to address it. Somehow we have to get to a place to communicate.

"We have the peace marches but it needs to move into actual things that go on in individual lives. People need to do things differently. People are not paying attention to the children. It really shouldn't be that surprising.

"We all need to stop being foolish and wake up. Let's get on with it. Let's take care of our children. I think it's a bit unfortunate that children are saying this stuff but the key is for us to stop talking in circles. If you want a different tomorrow, you make a different tomorrow."

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said: "All over the Island, our children are talking about the violence. They clearly understand that we must eradicate the violence.

"We know that when we have this level of serious crime, we must stop the criminal behaviour. We will be tough on crime and take tough steps to address the causes of crime. We must and will do this now.

"We must do it for our children's peace. We must do it for Bermuda to find quiet and ultimately to find peace."

Bermuda Democratic Alliance spokesman Craig Cannonier said: "It is a sad day indeed when young children feel like they need to express their dreams and desires as living in a violence-free society.

"The perpetrators of the violence do not appreciate or indeed seem to give a damn about the effect they have had on the community and appear to care only about instilling fear in their rivals.

"It is time that the community stands as one. We can hardly expect the Bermuda Police Service to end the scourge on our community when the community itself is more often than not turning its back on their civic duty to report the crime they see. Remember it can be done anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

"The Alliance also has a dream of a violence-free society. We believe that through an improved education system, strong family units and a well-funded Police service, that Bermuda will once again become that place we all remember — a place where there is a sense of community and the village really does raise the child."

No response had been received from the UBP by press time.