Ministerial Statement by the Minister of National Security, The Hon. Wayne M. Caines JP, MP
Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members, this Government promised the people of Bermuda that we would “give reducing gang violence the priority it deserves.” As the public is aware, Pastor Leroy Bean was hired as the Gang Violence Reduction Coordinator as part of the First 100 Days Platform. Over the last six months, this Government has achieved more in creating a strategy to strengthen and heal our country from the inside out.
Mr. Speaker, last September, I formed the Ministry of National Security’s Violence Reduction Team led by Pastor Bean. The intent was to engage with all sectors of our community to address crime and violence. The Violence Reduction Team’s driving force was to change the narrative to highlight that we can’t arrest ourselves out of any problem. Instead, in partnership with the community, we must set a standard and work together with our core stakeholder groups to ignite a cultural shift.
Mr. Speaker, the Violence Reduction Team did not reinvent the wheel. Our multipronged holistic approach to combatting the growth of antisocial behavior and gun and knife violence in Bermuda is built on existing policies and programs. The team’s core goals and objectives are to:
- change the pattern of behaviour of individuals involved in group and gang violence and reintegrate them back into mainstream society;
- prevent young people from joining gangs and engaging in anti-social behaviour;
- connect at-risk youth, men and women with the necessary helping agencies that will aid in addressing mental and social health issues; and
- create employment opportunities for those who may be have previously been deemed “unemployable” because of their past.
Mr. Speaker, as I have previously mentioned in this Honorable House, Bermuda’s version of the Operation Ceasefire model began in 2010. Over the years, the foundation has been remodeled and extended to support the creation of unique internal and external working groups dedicated to reducing violence in Bermuda. The Inter-Agency Gang Task Force and Inter-Agency Gang Enforcement Team were implemented under the direction of the Honorable Minister Lt. Col. David A. Burch, JP, MP and the Inter-Agency Community Response were implemented under the former OBA Government.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that all of our violence reduction working groups were active before the implementation of the National Network for Safer Communities (NNSC) - Group Violence Intervention (GVI) model on 1st April 2017 and remain active today. As a reminder, our working groups are:
- The Inter-Agency Gang Task Force;
- The Inter-Agency Gang Enforcement Team; and
- The Inter-Agency Community Response.
Mr. Speaker, the NNSC’s GVI model has seen some success when used to combat gun and gang-related crime in US cities. It was implemented by the former Government as an unbudgeted item last fiscal year. The two-year deal between NNSC and the Bermuda Government was scheduled to end in 2019 and cost nearly $370,000.
Mr. Speaker, between January and February 2018, consultation took place between all core members of our workings groups, the Ministry’s Senior Administrative and Violence Reduction teams to determine the next steps for the GVI initiative. The teams’ collectively believed that the development of localized programs would better serve Bermuda economically, socially and clinically.
Mr. Speaker, the contract with NNSC was terminated for a number of reasons. The first being the costs associated with running the model ($200,000 for this fiscal year). Secondly, its suppression heavy elements no longer fit into our plan for reducing gang violence in Bermuda.
Mr. Speaker, finally this Government wants a Bermuda centric programme that tackles the root causes of violence and address the years of multi-generational unaddressed trauma. Such methodology should reflect an anthropological, ethnographic and clinical approach. We want to develop programmes and policies that include a therapeutic and restorative aspect which was lacking from the GVI model.
Mr. Speaker, prevention will be the key to success in stemming violence in Bermuda. This Government will continue the evolution of its localized violence reduction plan without the National Network for Safer Communities.
Mr. Speaker, the false claims reported about our lack of transparency over the termination of the contract and the future direction of our localized model… needs to be addressed. On March 24th, our plan was unveiled at the Sandys Rotary Club sponsored - “The Peaceful Way Forward: The Courage to Listen.”
Mr. Speaker, this event featured Reverend Jeffrey Brown of the Boston Miracle. Pastor Bean and I presented the Ministry’s new plan and were overjoyed when Reverend Brown endorsed our path. For anyone who missed that moment, you can always view it on Bernews – Bermuda’s 24/7 News Source.
Mr. Speaker, since 2009, 35 young black men have been shot and killed; 92 people have been injured by an illegal fire arms; and over 400 of our young people could possibility be “at risk” of falling prey to the gang lifestyle. Our approach builds pathways and provides support for all.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I would like to invite you and all of Bermuda to come out to the National Stadium on May 9th for the National Day of Peace from 5pm – 7pm.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.