HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – National Security Minister Michael Weeks says the short-term goals of the National Violence Reduction Strategy Blueprint have already been achieved, as the authorities have put measures in place to combat gang violence.
Weekes said that the strategy was born out of a two-day consultative workshop where stakeholders, both public and private, came together to “brainstorm the issue of violence in our community and generate possible solutions.
“Exploration of what is working and any gaps found in helping services was at the forefront of our mission,” he said, thanking those entities for their robust dialogue and valuable contributions to this national strategy.
“Bermuda, we are at a crossroads, where the scourge of violence threatens the very fabric of our island home, undermining peace, safety, security, and ultimately, prosperity for all. “Whether physical aggression, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or anti-social behavior – resulting in ‘gang activity’, violence knows no boundaries – ‘no one is immune’. It affects us as individuals, families, and parishes. It is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires multifaceted solutions,” Weekes said.
“This anti-violence strategy is not just a document, but a commitment to creating a safer, more secure Bermuda for all; a Bermuda that previous generations had the privilege of enjoying and that we will again make for future generations.
“This strategy is a call to action for our government, faith-based, sporting, auxiliary organizations, communities, neighborhoods, and each one of us, to come together, to stand up against violence in all of its forms and to work towards a future where peace and respect for one another is again the norm,” he added.
Weekes laid the 26-page document in Parliament, saying that some medium-term goals under the project are already underway.
“The long-term goals speak to the deeper mission of addressing the root causes of violence, transforming perceptions, reshaping behaviours and shifting cultural norms so that peace and opportunity become the standard for our communities,” he told legislators.
Weeks stated that the short-term goals, which were expected to be developed over six months, involved creating a “governance architecture.” This architecture featured the Steering Committee, the Inter-Agency Gang Enforcement Team, and the Inter-Agency Community Response Team.
He said the IGET now includes groups such as the Department of Child and Family Services and the Department of Education to keep young people from slipping into “cycles of violence” and that the IGCR would operate at the “grassroots level” by working with community groups, including faith groups and clubs, to help combat gang violence.
Among the medium-term goals is the use of advanced technology to monitor gang activity, which is expected to be carried out between six months and two years. The government assures that civil liberties will be protected, even as drones and facial recognition technology are implemented.
“The use of surveillance technology complies with legal and ethical standards, safeguarding individual privacy and civil liberties,” according to the document, which is also pushing the idea of safe houses and reintegration programmes for those escaping a life of crime, as well as proposing creating an integrated surveillance system enabling law enforcement to track and investigate gang activity in real time.
The document also listed the creation of early education and social skills programs, as well as partnerships with youth centers and training for community leaders, to strengthen early intervention.
Conflict resolution measures would be developed with better-equipped negotiation teams and mediation workshops with community partners.
Long-term goals in the NVRS blueprint are expected to be achieved two years after its launch, with a greater emphasis on parole and reintegration. This includes creating safe houses for individuals leaving gangs, offering specialized support for parolees with gang involvement, and providing ongoing support to people relocated for their safety.
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