Premier committed to providing resources to end cycle of violence
The Government is committed to providing the necessary resources to break a cycle of violence endured by the Bermudian community, the Premier said yesterday.
At a press conference, David Burt, who was flanked by members of his cabinet, said recent tragedies had “struck the very core of so many families and friends, and their pain has reverberated throughout our entire island”.
He said the Government could not solve the issue alone and appealed to people to end a culture of silence and work together as one to end the violence.
“This is not the time to point fingers or play politics. These are not the problems of one political party or another but matters that we must deal with together as Bermudians,” said Mr Burt.
The island has been rocked by seven murders since Bermuda Day – a six-week period.
On Tuesday two men were shot dead near Fort Scaur in Somerset. Last Sunday, a family of four, including two young children, were found dead at a house on South Terrace, Pembroke.
Last month Diante Trimm, a 37-year-old mother of five, was shot dead.
Mr Burt said: “Bermuda, in these dark times, we must continue to work to ensure a more hopeful future.
“We must collectively summon the strength inside us and not allow our island to be defined by these tragedies but by how we respond to them and to one another.
“The losses that some families in our community have had to endure are unimaginable and it is in these moments that we must provide them with the support systems that will help them in their time of grief and demonstrate to them that they are not alone.”
He added: “As the Minister of Finance, I am committed to ensuring that additional funds are allocated to support important initiatives that will further assist those in need in breaking the cycle of violence that our community has endured.”
“Like many others, I have been shocked by the recent incidents that have led to six tragic deaths in the last few days. I know that many of you will be grieving the loss of people known and dear to you.
“My thoughts are with you, and your families, at this immeasurably difficult moment.
“I know that the Bermuda Police Service is determined to bring those responsible for these acts to justice and will not rest until they have achieved this goal.
“I will continue to work closely with the Minister for National Security to ensure that the Bermuda Police Service have the support that they need to carry out their responsibilities.
“But policing alone will not solve this problem. The whole of our society must continue to work together, to send a clear and unified message. The violence must stop now.”
Mr Burt said the Government had already increased resources for mental health, the police, education and the youth.
He added that there had been success in intervening with young people going down a wrong path and with the gang reduction team.
Asked why, given the increased resources and intervention success, there were still acts of violence and whether people could have confidence in the Government to solve the issue, Mr Burt said it was not only a Bermuda problem.
“It is a global problem. We have seen an increase in violence, specifically gun violence, across countries and from that aspect it is a challenge.
“But what I would say is that there is no lack of determination, there is no lack of desire to make sure there are additional resources available.
“The police commissioner came to me 18 months ago saying he was looking for additional resources to hire specialist investigators, to upgrade their systems and the Government has made sure to provide that support.”
Police numbers are at their lowest since the 1990s. Asked what additional funds the Government could give the police now, Mr Burt said he could not speak to operational matters, which was for Government House and the police, “but when the police have asked for resources those resources have been provided”.
“We must look at what we have done and identify where we can do more and in the space where communities are hurting and the space where families are dealing with unimaginable tragedies,” said the Premier.
“It is not going to be an excuse to say ‘oh, I must make sure to satisfy an outside ratings agency with a balanced budget’ when communities are hurting.
“I will make sure that the resources that are necessary are made available. You cannot be such a wealthy country and a wealthy society and not make sure that you put the resources where necessary,” pledged Mr Burt.
“Unless we all come together and we are all honest with each other and make sure that when there are things that are taking place which are not right, that we go ahead and report those and end the culture of silence, it will be difficult for this government or any government to go ahead and put an end to these issues.”
Asked if there had been discussions with the Governor and whether outside help was being sought, the Minister of National Security Michael Weeks said “all avenues and possibilities are being investigated”.
“I don’t want to rule out the fact that we may go to Scotland Yard but we have not got to that point,” he said.
A new island-wide CCTV system is due to be completed by the end of this month – seven months later than planned — and asked if there was any CCTV coverage at Scaur Hill, Mr Weeks said he had a preliminary report and footage was being looked at by the police.
On the progress of the new system, he said it was “more than 80 per cent complete” and that he was “very confident it will be finished in the next few weeks”.
Mr Weeks added: “These senseless acts of violence have torn at the very fabric of our society and we share in the grief and pain felt by those who knew and loved these individuals.
“However, we cannot do this alone. We need the community’s help. I know you have heard me say this before but the message must be repeated at this crucial time.
“If you have any information please come forward. Your courage can make a difference. The police service cannot solve these crimes without your support.
“I understand the reluctance and fear that may exist within our community but it is vital for the safety of our community that we all stand together against this violence.
“The resilience of the Bermudian people is well known and now more than ever we must rely on that community strength to put an end to this scourge.
“We must break the silence and overcome the fear that prevents us from providing information that can assist in bringing the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice.”
Anyone with information is urged to call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline, 800-8477, or through the BPS online community reporting portal.
• To read the full comments from the Premier and the Minister of National Security, see Related Media
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