Mediators are already beginning talks with Bermuda’s gang leaders, National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief told a press conference yesterday.Mr Perinchief said the Street Safe initiative, aimed at ending gang warfare, has commenced in an ad hoc manner and will move forward officially by the end of the month.It will involve street workers speaking to gang leaders, and offering alternative solutions when serious violence appears to be imminent, the Minister told the media.Giving an update on the programme he previously announced in February, Mr Perinchief said the Ministry has been busy adapting Boston’s successful Street Safe initiative to fit Bermuda.“The core strategies of Street Safe involve a continuum of gang prevention, gang intervention and gang suppression aligned with social work best practice,” he said.“This is complimented by street level, gang intervention and neighbourhood-based service delivery.“Street Safe deploys street workers into the most violent gangs to build relationships with key players, mediate conflicts and interrupt violence among at-risk youth and gangs.“Programme coordinators concurrently establish relationships with community-based organisations and partner with willing employers to provide access to jobs, education, housing and other essential services required to break the destructive cycle of the gang lifestyle.”Almost 400 people are said to be involved in Bermuda’s gangs. The mediation process will focus on about 20 who are deemed top-level.Mr Perinchief explained: “The street-level worker, possibly an ex-member, will go to the people and say, ‘Listen, we know you are engaged in tit for tat. We are asking you if you have beef with an opposing number, you reach out to us and try to resolve the issue before it comes to violence.’”Asked for a timeline, he replied the end of the month, adding: “In an ad hoc way, mediation has already started. Gang mediation is already going on.”Mr Perinchief said a lead coordinator has been identified, to be accountable for the oversight of the initiative generally and for the management of the street-level entity to be tasked with day-to-day handling of the gang mediation volunteers.“This is targeted and focused work,” he said.“The individuals identified to do this work deliberately do not share the podium with me today. This is street level, community engagement activity and a profile outside of the ‘street’ can be a hindrance to the success of the initiative.“The men and women who will be engaged in this will be on the front line, promoting social cohesion in our Country; no cameras required.”He said private sector partners have expressed interest in providing funding, but added: “In these economic times making those commitments real can take time.”Funds in the short-term will be found within the Ministry, he said, without extra money being required from the public purse.