Crime has blighted densely-populated Pembroke South East, and tackling it is one of the key concerns voiced by constituents and candidates alike.Education and unemployment were further issues highlighted when The Royal Gazette spoke with voters in the area, which is traditionally a PLP stronghold.A primarily residential area, the constituency is bisected by Happy Valley Road. The area to the south of Happy Valley is relatively prosperous compared to the area to the north, which includes the crime-plagued Middletown, Fentons Drive, Rambling Lane and Curving Avenue neighbourhoods.The neighbourhood streets are home to the Parkside and Middletown gangs, who have been engaged with their rivals in gang warfare that has left 19 men dead since May, 2009.Many of those lost to gun violence hail from the constituency — most recently Lorenzo Stovell of Middletown Lane who was shot by a gunman riding a motorcycle as he sat aboard a minibus near Woody’s bar in Sandys on September 23.Police said Mr Stovell was not a gang member but his killing had a gang-related aspect.His sister, Laurie-Ann Stovell, 29, said: “I think Middletown needs some type of security and some community effort to help get it back to how it used to be. All the boys hanging around — that needs to stop so the children can feel safe outside playing again. The boys are bringing trouble, and even though it’s not as bad as it used to be, it’s an issue that’s been ignored.”Despite the challenges the neighbourhood faces, Ms Stovell said: “Pretty much everyone who lives in Middletown has always lived there. We consider each other family. It used to be the best neighbourhood ever at one point and it has potential to be so again.”The mother-of-two works as a server at Swizzle Inn. She has not decided who to vote for yet, but appreciated the help given to her family by One Bermuda Alliance candidate Jeff Baron, who helped make funeral arrangements for her brother.“That made things easier,” she said.Mr Baron, a 36-year-old former Police Sergeant, has been taking every opportunity to engage with the community — supporting grieving families, helping with community clean-ups and assisting with weekly community suppers at St Augustine’s Church.“I was struck how many people are hungry. They come to the suppers and stay. It’s not just about the food but sitting down together. We need to bring the community spirit back,” he said.He feels the area has suffered a “leadership deficit” down the years and he wants to be the person to turn that around.“I’ve had a great reception when I’ve been canvassing but people are quite jaded when it comes to politics. This area has traditionally had one of the lowest turnouts and it’s my job to get people engaged,” he said.“When you talk about crime reduction strategies you have to include the citizens as part of the conversation. It’s also uncomfortable when you are canvassing and people are embarrassed to let you into their homes because they can’t pay their bills and they don’t have lights. You have to take ownership of that and make calls.”Abednego Trott, 36, who is self-employed, has decided to back Mr Baron.“The standard of education needs to be the same for everybody,” said Mr Trott, who believes it is the key to a strong community and people feeling valued. He would also like to see schools open for longer to help parents who are working long hours.“The gun violence is also an issue. From 1998 to now, how many young black men have died under the leadership of the PLP?” he asked.Mr Trott, who has children aged 17, 12 and ten months, believes things can still be turned around and likes a pledge made by Mr Baron that proceeds of crime will be seized and ploughed back into the community through projects such as CCTV and improved lighting.Patrick Caton, a married father-of-one who has lived in the constituency for more than 15 years, said: “The main issues we have are crime and lack of jobs, and the economy is so poor right now that most of us are underemployed or unemployed. This has led to an upswing in break-ins and other petty crime. We’ve started neighbourhood watches which seem to have helped.”Mr Caton, a 45-year-old technology consultant, feels a “holistic approach” is necessary to solve the troubles the area is facing.“If we can improve the economy in general there will be more opportunities for people and they won’t necessarily be driven to crime,” he noted.Mr Caton has made up his mind who he will vote for, but declined to reveal who.Progressive Labour Party candidate Rolfe Commissiong, 55, declined to be interviewed, but sent an e-mail outlining the key issues as he sees them.“Obviously, crime within the constituency is an issue particularly as it relates to gang-generated violence; but also in terms of burglaries and other crimes of opportunity. There is a growing awareness, however, that community participation in fighting crime is key, along with other factors. The example of the residents at Crisson Avenue who have formed their own neighbourhood watch is commendable in this regard. Public safety and the protection of private and public property are issues that many of the constituents are concerned about and are grappling with every day. I believe that many of them know that I am here to support their efforts and they are sophisticated enough to also acknowledge that an effective policing response is only part of a more sustainable solution.“With respect to the mid- to long-term, the most effective crime prevention and social assistance tool is a growing dynamic economy providing good jobs and a decent standard of living something that our Government is working night and day to achieve. We need to ensure as a society, and indeed as government, that Bermudians can support themselves and their families with dignity, something that a PLP government is determined to do. Moreover, the constituents are also aware of my vigorous advocacy on behalf of our young black males over the last 15 years. My commitment to this issue has not only been an intellectual exercise; but one that I have been committed to as someone who comes from that same community. We must value and nurture all of our people. No group should be marginalised or viewed as ‘surplus to requirements’ by this society.”Independent candidate Tillman Darrell, 45, said the key areas of concern are policing, immigration, education and the maintenance of Bermuda Housing Association properties.“People in the constituency and throughout the Island have lost respect for the uniform and for policing. They’ve not been able to recruit a lot of Bermudian constables,” he noted.He feels that an “internal affairs” department to look into allegations of misconduct would help.He remembers fondly the community spirit during his years growing up in the area: “We used to play cricket on the street and marbles in the yard and hunt for lizards and none of that’s happening now — children are not able to travel from one area to the next because of the crime and other things.”He would also press for educational reform. “Young people are not coming out of school properly equipped. We’ve had two different reports and 11 Education Ministers [since the PLP came to power] and this issue still exists.”He believes the power of the independent candidate should not be underestimated, pointing to the impact of the objections raised by independent senators to the Rosewood Tucker’s Point special development order, which stalled in the Upper House last year and had to be amended.“As one person you can’t do anything, but you work with the Government of the day and get on committees and boards to address things,” he said.One issue he would tackle if elected is BHC tenants who “can’t get things fixed and are up-in-arms about that”.He would also press for Pembroke Marsh to be reduced from the “mountain” it has become and turned into a bird sanctuary with a park, play area and rejuvenated marshland.l John Holdipp has also been reported by ZBM to be running as an Independent candidate in the constituency, but could not be reached for comment by The Royal Gazette.