Police are prepared for any revenge attacks as emotions run high at funerals of the Island's gun death victims, Commissioner Michael DeSilva said yesterday.

Last week, Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley claimed he saw "payback" in the eyes of mourners at a recent funeral of a young man killed in a gang-related incident.

With Gary (Fingas) Cann's funeral taking place today — following the 22-year-old's fatal shooting in Somerset last Tuesday night — Mr. DeSilva offered reassurance to the public.

"We have measures in place each and every time we experience this. I can't reveal the details, but we are ready to react very quickly to any acts of vengeance," he said.

During last week's Upper House sitting, Senators noted funerals were starting to become fashionable for gang members, with Government Senator Marc Bean claiming they were like big parties.

Mr. DeSilva, who has attended gang-related funerals, said: "I think there's an element of that. I would put it down in part to all the confusion created on an individual level because of the scope of emotions that are all being stressed: death, homicide, loss, anxiety about retribution and safety.

"You've still got the elements of gang culture pushing into the centre of that. We know that so many of these young men want to get out. That's a whole lot of stress for someone to cope with.

"When we see this behaviour at the funerals I don't overreact to them. That's young men struggling to cope. The bravado response seems inappropriate to most of us, but I can well imagine it's a coping mechanism."

Earlier this week, Premier Ewart Brown revealed safe houses have been identified for people trying to get away from gangs.

Mr. DeSilva urged those who want to quit to make the first step, saying: "They need to realise that the opportunity now is greater than it's ever been. The community is galvanised to really take some considerable steps towards solving the problem at the root cause.

"They are in a position to receive meaningful support that has an excellent chance of changing their course of life. Now is the time to get off that roller-coaster."