Crates of guns are dropped into Bermuda's waters to be collected by gang members, United Bermuda Party MP Shawn Crockwell claimed, during a House of Assembly debate on gangs last Friday.

Mr. Crockwell said gang problems have become so severe Police are now living in fear of troublemakers and need expert help to get on top of the situation, and an anti-gang task force should also be set up.

He was speaking on Friday in a House of Assembly debate over Premier Ewart Brown's motion to take note of the need to crack down on gangs.

The Shadow Transport Minister repeated Government backbencher Wayne Perinchief's claim of rampant corruption within Bermuda Police Service.

He said he disagreed with Sir Richard Gozney's assessment that the allegation was not worthy of a Royal Commission.

Mr. Crockwell applauded Dr. Brown for pledging to take action against gangs with new legislation — and said it was probably 20 years too late.

"Bermuda as a whole did not want to believe we could have yobs, or young men, run on a football field with weapons in pursuit of other young men while a match was going on," he said.

He said Bermuda also did not want to believe shootings would take place on such a regular basis that they were no longer a surprise.

Illustrating the extent of gun crime, he said: "Guns are imported to this country in crates. They are dropped off in the water and someone goes to collect them."

He added: "It is time to get control of this national crisis. I have been puzzled why we haven't seen a unit that's focused on destabilisation of gangs in this country.

"It seems that the Police are in fear of the gangs and we need to reverse that. We need the gangs to be afraid of the Police.

"We have a dearth of leadership and expertise in Bermuda Police Service. We have seen in the last few years a rise in violence, murder, crime and a decrease in prosecution in this country. And that is worrying.

"It's not a criticism that we are not experts in this area. It's a new phenomenon in this country. No one should be offended that we lack the expertise."

He said being a member of a gang should be a criminal offence: legislation which has already been introduced in Australia, Canada and the United States.

"We can't sit back and just hope that these people find Jesus," he said.

PLP MP Elvin James bemoaned declining morals in society, with young people not being made to show good manners any more.

Mr. James said three of the four pillars of society had been eroded: the church, the community and the home. He said the remaining pillar, the school, could not support society on its own.

He said the church in particular teaches vital life lessons, whether or not you believe in God. More people should make an effort to support young people and show them the way to behave, said the Minister.

Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards said he always thought he lived in a safe neighbourhood in South Shore Warwick, until there was a fatal shooting a quarter of a mile from his home.

Mr. Richards said Police needed to change their approach.

"A number of people in our Police force are text book Policemen," he said. "They spend a lot of time reading text books but don't know the streets.

"You have to have eyes and ears and feet on the streets."

Finance Minister Paula Cox told the House increased gang activity was threatening to undermine the economy, noting that it is tarnishing the reputation of Bermuda as a safe Island.

Having recently organised a meeting with a young man affiliated with gangs on the Island she said she came to realise that many of the young men see gangs as a replacement for their family.

She added: "The young man proceeded to almost try and lecture me that there has to be collusion in different areas of the community because guns are coming in, not as whole guns, but in parts and people know about it.

But I know that H.M. Customs is working hard to prevent this and spending large sums of money to get the high tech equipment to find guns."

She added: "This issue strikes right to the heart of the community and we need to do something to ensure the continued stability of the Island.

"The people of Bermuda may forgive a wrong decision but they will not forgive no decision. During this motion we need to keep an open mind there may be ideas that are off the radar but will help us as a community."

l More from this debate in tomorrow's Royal Gazette