MPs from all three parties spoke out about the rising wave of violent crime, during the Motion to Adjourn in the House on Friday.

Bermuda Democratic Party (BDA) member Mark Pettingill called for the issue of crime to be discussed on a constant basis.

"I feel that it's a matter that needs to be discussed week in and week out," he said.

"We also need to take the approach that this is not a government problem, it is not a political problem. It is a Bermuda problem.

"If we just sit here and throw stones, we're not going to get anywhere on the issue of crime.

"In addressing this issue, I will join hands with whoever I need to join hands with. We need to stop commenting on what should be done and start participating in what needs to be done."

Mr. Pettingill said that Police impounded $16 million worth of drugs last year.

"If that was 50 percent, then we have a $30 million drug problem, and that's a conservative estimate. If we break that down by population, we have a serious problem.

"We're an Island fortress, the second most isolated community in the world. If anyone has an advantage in stopping the drug trade, it's us."

Mr. Pettingill called for serious investment in Police, including Island-wide closed circuit cameras and the adoption of tracking devices to be used for those on parole, a concept proposed in the Throne speech.

"The fact of the matter is that some of these people need to be watched.

"We need to make some sacrifices. We have to put aside some of the things we want to spend our money on.

"(Crime) is something we need to act on today. We've had enough papers, we've had enough editorials, we've had enough speeches, we need action."

Opposition MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said that she believed the House was already unified in the belief that action needed to be taken.

"With the proliferation of weapons in the community, we are facing a monster," she said.

"This has to stop, and we have to find a way to stop it."

Government MP Randy Horton agreed with Mr. Pettingill's call to cast aside political bickering to deal with the issue, saying: "When Hurricane Emily hit, what did we do? We banded together.

"When Hurricane Fabian came to us, what did we do? We banded together.

"Crime is hitting Bermuda. It's hitting each and every one of us. We need to come together and bring about change."

Mr. Horton stressed the role of the educational system and men in the community, repeatedly calling for the men of Bermuda to stand up and accept their responsibility.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan argued that many of the social ills the Island is facing is due to negativity.

"In this fish bowl, we are focusing too much on the negative, and it's hurting us because it is contagious," he said, calling for the press to focus more coverage on positive stories.

"We need to make sure that the youth that are doing good are getting the prominence they deserve."

In his maiden parliamentary speech, Michael Weeks called for the community to come together in a thousand man march, saying: "A message must be sent that we will fight against these crimes in a march of solidarity."

BDA MP Donte Hunt applauded Mr. Weeks' suggestion of a march, but suggested that to stress the importance of family, that the march be a husband and wife march.

PLP backbencher Dale Butler said that he was surprised by the increase in criminal activity.

"Nowadays if a teacher raises their voice, they call it emotional abuse," he said. "There is a time for a gentle hand, but the time for the gentle hand is over.

"The law needs to be enforced. We can march, we can do all those nice things, but in the end the law needs to be enforced.

"In this fish bowl, we are focusing too much on the negative, and it's hurting us because it is contagious," he said, calling for the press to focus more coverage on positive stories.

"We need to make sure that the youth that are doing good are getting the prominence they deserve."

In his maiden parliamentary speech, Michael Weeks called for the community to come together in a thousand man march, saying: "A message must be sent that we will fight against these crimes in a march of solidarity."

BDA MP Donte Hunt applauded Mr. Weeks' suggestion of a march, but suggested that to stress the importance of family, that the march be a husband and wife march.

PLP backbencher Dale Butler said that he was surprised by the increase in criminal activity.

"Nowadays if a teacher raises their voice, they call it emotional abuse," he said. "There is a time for a gentle hand, but the time for the gentle hand is over.

"The law needs to be enforced. We can march, we can do all those nice things, but in the end the law needs to be enforced.