nameless and faceless statistics.

My fellow Bermudians, residents and friends of Bermuda:

This is our Bermuda. Our children. Our collective crisis .

In addressing this dilemma, the Government will lead. We have already begun to do so.

Over a year ago we commissioned a preliminary study by Professor Roy Wright (formerly of the Bermuda College) into the ?Plight of the Young Black Male in our Society.?

Today, that background data along with an ongoing review of the target group is providing us with the basis for diminishing the threat and the challenge that we are facing by, to quote Prime Minister Blair of the United Kingdom, when he was confronted with a similar need): ?To deter bad behaviour and to invest in good behaviour.?

He goes on to say: ?This is what makes the case for action against anti-social behaviour a progressive cause. Poverty and exclusion from the material norms of a prosperous society provide fertile ground for crime.?

In this situation and circumstance his thoughts mirror ours when he observes that, and I paraphrase: ?Throughout government, we are seeking to change the conditions in which criminal activity often flourishes.?

This Government has no tolerance for criminal activity.

I say clearly and unequivocally, those who break the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Let me repeat this so that there will be no doubt. Those who break the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And on that we will never waver.

We recently concluded a wonderful and relatively incident free Cup Match weekend.

Our experience over the Cup Match weekend has shown that high profile policing makes this island a naturally law abiding place. The Minister and I along with The Governor and the Commissioner of Police have agreed that active policing of known trouble spots will continue throughout the weeks ahead.

We have a shared determination to keep Bermuda safe for Bermudians and visitors alike. I want to assure the public that the Bermuda Police Service can be relied upon to control our streets. They will arrest and detain those who break our laws. Lawlessness is not and must not become part of our culture.

The necessary steps are already being taken to ensure that the Police Service can recruit up to its full complement of officers. The Government will also put in place social services that will enable the Police Service and others to offer productive outlets for the energies of those who might be disposed towards anti-social behaviour.

I want to assure you that the security of this Island is of critical importance to the Government.

The National Security must be upheld and acts of lawlessness must not only be addressed but must be seen to be addressed.

I implore each and every member of this community to get involved. Speak up. Speak out.

Call the hot-tip lines. Communicate with law enforcement agencies. Some of you have important and critical information. Be a part of the solution. Do not protect those who are deliberately attempting to destabilise our community through acts of violence and destruction.

My fellow Bermudians, residents and friends of Bermuda, the infrastructure for success is there and you have helped to make it so. We are on the threshold of shaping our country for the foreseeable future. However without an educated, participating, vibrant young population, our future is grim.

All that we do will go for naught, if we do not align ourselves with the keepers of the flame, our children. They are the ones who will carry our work ? our failure or, as I believe, our success, into the future.

One of the pillars of the Government?s Social Agenda speaks to a Civil and Law Abiding Country.

The violence must be stopped. We will hold those responsible accountable and we will secure our community.

At the same time, we will continue the work to prepare our country for this generation and for generations to come.

To ensure our success, we ask for your cooperation and support as we redouble our efforts to educate, encourage and engage, this present generation ... into whose hands we will place our future.

Young Mr. Lionel Cann, Captain of the St. George?s Cup Match team said it better than I ever could. I paraphrase his words, but in essence he said:

I conclude by asking each and every Bermudian and resident of Bermuda to remember how you felt recently on each occasion you heard that there had been a shooting in Bermuda or some act of apparent random and thoughtless violence in our community. Reflect on how you felt and then resolve to support the action that the Police Service and Government are taking to ensure the safety of everyone in our island community.

We must not and will not tolerate the loss of that which we hold dear ? our beloved Bermuda.