Our plan is a multi-step approach that includes introducing tougher sentences, supporting police activity, focusing on early intervention and preventative measures and life change interventions. Minister Perinchief outlines the plan:

1. We must continue to support the Police’s aggressive, targeted prevention and enforcement actions.

If we are to depend upon the Police to strongly enforce the laws of the land and to meet a challenge which threatens our way of life, our responsibility as citizens is to support the lawful exercise of their authority and to encourage people of all ages to respect their work and to play their part in bringing an end to this violence.

Mr. Speaker, throughout my visit to Boston last December, each expert highlighted that the Police cannot do it on their own. There must be a unified community effort.

The successful prosecutions of those persons who have chosen this life of gang behaviour are a testament to the commitment of the Police to match the public’s desire for justice with their action as the front line of law enforcement. For this they must be applauded.

2. We must advance the proposal for additional sentencing tariffs for offences committed as part of or in furtherance of unlawful gang activity.

Mr. Speaker, I have already indicated that I favour a sentencing regime that permits a judge to take account of the circumstances in which certain offences have been committed and to add an additional term of imprisonment where those circumstances involve unlawful gang activity.
We cannot treat these offences as ordinary and our criminal justice system should have the means by which to reflect public sentiment and the accepted detrimental effects on our country at the sentencing phase.

3. Prioritize gang mediation

Mr. Speaker, intelligence indicates that gangs have leaders and some structure. With that in mind we have followed best practice from other jurisdictions and have set in motion the means by which to bring these individuals together. Bermuda is too small for there to be warring factions separated by parish or neighbourhood boundaries. In some cases, families are split by this defined affiliation to gangs.

A dialogue must be cultivated and if what we hear is to be believed, in some cases the issues that divide these young men can be resolved through the mediation of an honest broker leading a full discussion.

Mr. Speaker, this effort is by definition undertaken away from the glare of the cameras but it is important for the community to know that this Government is actively facilitating this initiative.

4. Identify gang signals early

Recognizing the crucial role to be played within our education system, my colleague the Honourable Member, the Minister of Education joined with me in sponsoring the Paper that was discussed recently by Cabinet.

Mr. Speaker, we must equip our teachers and educators with the know-how to identify “red flags” in our children so that no opportunity to prevent a descent into the gang culture is missed. Simply put, the school intervention effort must be: identify, prescribe, intervene and follow-up.

5. Dedicated case management leading to positive lifestyle change

Mr. Speaker, a key element of transforming lives and ensuring at-risk individuals stay on the right path is effective case management. Our social assistance framework is consumed with meeting the needs presented by many problems in our society. However, with my colleague the Honourable Member, the Minister of Youth, Families and Sports, I intend to urge a priority tasking for case management in support of gang prevention and where possible a renewed focus on wider familial issues in this area.

As part of this action we must establish a family assessment service to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the needs and challenges of multi-problem families in high risk neighbourhoods, leading to an intervention/service plan to address those identified needs. Concurrently, we will address overlaps and gaps in existing approaches by agencies, aligning their work to a critical continuum: gang prevention, gang intervention and gang suppression.

6. Increased support and demands of sports clubs/community clubs

Mr. Speaker, if communities are to be the building blocks of success in this effort against the gang lifestyle, we must empower central points of the community and position them to be positive factors in the lives of all our citizens. There is no need to re-invent the wheel in this area. An untapped resource exists in our local community sports clubs but we must partner with them to meet the needs.

Mr. Speaker, the Government cannot do it all and with my colleague responsible for sport we intend to innovatively encourage the private sector, both local and international, to adopt clubs in support of much needed infrastructure improvements. We cannot claim to be a cosmopolitan and sophisticated jurisdiction and not have sports facilities that meet minimum standards of comfort and quality. Simple things like lights, family friendly design, varied activities and the like will encourage positive activities at sites that already have contributed so much to our community.

In the first instance, the public/private partnership must be one that offers specific skills and administration to our clubs so that they are well positioned to encourage the donor community to rally to their cause.

Mr. Speaker, in this same vein, local community leaders must encourage community based projects that improve surroundings and provide positive social networking opportunities. This will build an atmosphere of inclusion, providing the familial-style base, the absence of which lures some into the gang lifestyle.

We are a government with a vision and a comprehensive plan to address the gang issue. It's not just about a buzzword worthy programme like Operation Ceasefire. That's only part of the solution. Minister Perinchief:

Mr. Speaker, much has been said in the community about Operation Ceasefire. I support the programme and already steps have been taken to implement it in Bermuda. I think it is important to point out that the Ceasefire programme uses community policing and relationship building with several agencies as the means by which to bring gang members into closer, positive contact with these entities. Ceasefire confronts gang members and pointedly describes the consequences of their destructive behaviour and compliments these warnings with strong enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, the series of programmes that undergird Ceasefire by and large exist in our community already and with the all-inclusive approach I have outlined today we are well on our way to the coordinated effort required to meet the challenges of this kind of criminal activity.

Importantly, Mr. Speaker, regular public updates are a feature of building confidence in the ability of the agencies of Government to address these challenges. Today I have set out the broad approach to these issues being undertaken by the Government and where we seek to engage the assistance of other sectors of the community.

Mr. Speaker, I do not use the term “national security” lightly. It indicates that this is a national imperative and a national priority that transcends the cut and thrust of the political arena. Our efforts in this area are non-stop. Every day is committed to drawing upon each of the agencies involved to play their part in inspiring lifestyle change leading to safer communities for all. The Government is leading in this effort and we will continue to support the work of the Inter-Agency Gang Task Force and commend the public officers who have demonstrated their commitment to the cause.

We have the vision and the plan to address the crime issue in Bermuda. We look forward to implementing this comprehensive agenda and continuing to work toward a safer Bermuda.

As we know, the NE Hamilton EEZ was established by the PLP Government to help businesses in the back of town. Over the last few months, as the global economic recession has raged, the PLP Government has been taking action to ensure that these businesses succeed. Minister Minors:

You will recall that in December we launched the EEZy Shopping, Dining, and Living Money Programme which saw EEZ businesses get together to offer fantastic discounts to the entire community during the post holiday season of January and February.

That programme allowed the collective EEZ to be promoted and drove consumers into the zone. Today we continue promoting North East Hamilton by highlighting the breadth and diversity of businesses located in this gem in our City.

Today, we've launched a new program to promote these businesses. Minister Minors:

the North East Hamilton Economic Empowerment Zone.

Born out of an idea by an area stakeholder, Mr. John Holdipp III, the Economic Empowerment Zones Agency (EEZA) worked for well over a year with North East Hamilton stakeholders to create this directory and map of the zone with its businesses, organisations, and key landmarks highlighted.

As a form of direct marketing, the business owners wholeheartedly supported the map concept and signed on to be included. Some went even further by providing financial support which allowed them to highlight their business while helping to offset the cost of production. We thank the following business for their contributions:

• Better Health;
• Haascobe Variety;
• Uppercrust;
• Swinging Doors;
• PC Bikes;
• Digicel;
• Inter Island Communications;
• Computer City;
• Atelerie Boutique;
• Klimaxx Boutique;
• Clara Bows Boutique;
• Satronics Enterprises;
• Tools & Equipment;
• Bliss Hair & Nail Salon;
• G&M Beauty Salon & Barber; and
• Bermuda Industrial Union

The pocket-sized map contains over 200 listings highlighting businesses and organisations in industries spanning retail; services; entertainment; health care; automotive; personal care; and community.

The maps will be distributed to well visited locations within the zone, as well as key visitor and local spots outside North East Hamilton such as hotels and guest houses; the Visitor Information Centres; the General Post Office; and City Hall.

Government welcomes all opportunities to positively promote North East Hamilton. I should point out that this project is seen as a continuation of the work done over the Christmas period to promote “Shopping Local”. Once a consumer becomes well informed of the diversity of businesses and services available locally, they are more likely to patronise and spend locally.

In closing ladies and gentlemen, I very much welcome you to pick up a EEZ Business Directory and Map and be pleasantly surprised by all you can see, do and spend in the North East Hamilton Economic Empowerment Zone.

Pick up the map. And, make sure to patron all Bermuda businesses - especially those in the EEZ! Together, we can overcome the global economic crisis!

Joining Premier Paula Cox at tonight's meeting are Ministers Dame Jennifer Smith, Derrick Burgess, Wayne Furbert and Marc Bean.

In advance of the meeting, the public is encouraged to review the Pre-Budget Report and share their feedback by emailing openbudget@gov.bm. Copies can be downloaded from www.gov.bm

We hope to see you at Francis Patton Primary tonight!

The Warwick Branches of the Progressive Labour Party are hosting an open public meeting this Monday, January 30 and all are invited to attend to learn more about what this government is doing and planning to do to help the people of Warwick.

In attendance will be several Parliament members and candidates, including Minister Marc Bean and MP Dale Butler, who will be happy to hear questions and concerns from all residents.

The panel has been called to speak regarding their visions for the Warwick community in the upcoming future. The Progressive Labour Party is well aware of pending improvements, and focusing on community involvement through these interactions is an important piece of party proceedings.

The meeting will be held at the Warwick Workmen's Club on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 7:30 pm.

The Progressive Labour Party encourages all to attend and contribute to the conversation!