Bar owners have to take responsibility for their own security and not rely on the police to do the job for them.This is the message from Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva who has spoken out in response to calls that the police should be doing more to stop gang members ruining Bermuda’s nightlife.Mr DeSilva said they have an increased police presence in known hotspots to try to prevent crime and increase public confidence.But he said it was not part of their policing plan to keep drugs, weapons and violent patrons out of Front Street’s nightspots.Mr DeSilva said the police were committed to working alongside licence holders but “the responsibility of making bars and nightclubs safe starts with the owners themselves”.This comes after The Royal Gazette reported how bar owners had voiced concerns about gang members spreading fear and scaring away customers.Some bar owners even called upon the introduction of tough new laws to ban gang members from all licensed venues. This would involve the police providing them with a database, with photos of all those affiliated with gangs.In just over a week this newspaper has published three separate stories about gang members hanging out in large numbers at venues popular with locals and tourists.These young men are said to have no respect for others, refuse to pay for their drinks, threaten to cause trouble and use bad language.Bootsie’s Comedy Club even closed its doors last month after becoming a hangout for members of Parkside who weren’t afraid to “put people’s lives at risk.”Mr DeSilva said the police had a “robust policing plan” for monitoring the nighttime activity of gangs, guns, drugs and violence on Bermuda’s streets.He said: “For many months we have increased police visibility in affected areas across the Island and our presence goes a long way in deterring criminal activity and promoting public confidence.“We also support the proactive efforts of licence holders who are helping to enhance public safety by putting their own strong security measures in place.“By keeping out drugs, weapons and violent patrons in the first place they reduce the opportunity for disturbances and increase the safety of other patrons.“The police are committed to working with licence holders who want to introduce such security measures and we note that the responsibility of making bars and night clubs safe starts with the owners themselves.”When questioned about what kind of job the police were doing at night in Front Street, bar owners gave a mixed reaction.Bosses at Docksiders and The Bistro at The Beach said the police were doing everything they could and they appreciated the visible presence of officers.However, bosses at the Island Restaurant Group, which includes Hog Penny and Pickled Onion, and Flanagans wanted to see more of police, especially inside of bars rather than just standing outside.