Senator Dunkley: “All Talk, No Action”
[Written by Senator Michael Dunkley, Shadow Minister for National Security]
Upfront, we’d like to commend the Government for researching Operation Ceasefire-like programmes to help Bermuda get a grip on gang-related gun violence and, equally, the social dynamics that give rise to it.
Bermuda will not make meaningful progress against the violence without treating the underlying situation that fosters gang-culture and the violence that comes with it.
This is a long-term undertaking that will require discipline, commitment and leadership – three qualities the Government has not yet shown.
I say that not to be unduly negative but because we need to be realistic about our strengths and weaknesses and how we manage them to achieve solutions for the people.
Government’s record to date on this vitally important issue has not been good enough. Consider the following statistical history:
- In 2004, the US Government issued a rare travel advisory warning all US citizens to beware of Bermuda gangs.
- The number of firearms incidents has doubled every year since 2007.
- The number of unconfirmed firearms incidents has tripled every year since 2007.
- One person was shot in 2008, 17 in 2009 and 37 in 2010. Of those, 16 were killed.
- In the first three months of this year, three people were shot dead.
- In the face of the escalating violence – violence the Police Service says has “severely affected the quality of life in communities across Bermuda” – the Government has remained on the sidelines.
Its Ministers have responded with rhetoric – ‘Enough is enough!’; overseen high-profile, short-lived Police deployments to trouble spots, and expressed well-intentioned but unformed ideas, and little real action, about harnessing the healing power of the community.
They have also approved cutbacks in the Police budget, maintained Police manpower below authorized levels and started a distracting political fight with the Governor over management of the Police.
Against this less than satisfactory background, I welcomed the appointment of new National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief in April and we will try to support his work going forward. But I remain deeply concerned because the Government still has no plan in place to deal with gang-related violence.
Since April, the Government has spoken about a possible arm’s amnesty, bans against gang membership, banning dark visor and expanding the proceeds of crime legislation to seize assets without criminal convictions.
These scattered considerations tell me there is no overall vision guiding the Government’s thinking. We have had a Government that, in effect, is all talk no action, and action is what we need.
The Government may stumble into a plan by finally following the long-standing call to consider Operation Ceasefire. The importance of such a programme is centred on the fact that the ceasefire programme applies both an operational and social response to the problem.
It is not enough to come down hard on gun-play; the Government must also press forward with a social programme that deals with the cultural side of this challenge.
Otherwise, we will continue to be faced with a problem that ebbs and flows but always threatens the larger well-being of the island.
Not a single solution or idea put forth in this 400 word piece of rhetoric…
More and more, everytime Dunkley or Richards open their mouths, we hear more of the same – the UBP in OBA clothing – stop being so critical and offer some solutions….thats what the the people want. Solutions. Lets get to those.
What will you do if you were the National Security Minister, Senator Dunkley? Be specific. Offer some real world practical solutions to better the situation you speak so eloquently and passionately about.
You lack basic reading comprehension skills.
I agree with you Sandgrownan, clearly whoever left the first comment failed to properly read the article as i saw many ideas while reading….go back and sound it out there sir! lol
Really?? I read the same article and all I saw Dunkley touch on was the already mentioned solutions that PLP has already undertaken. Are you sure you are reading the same article? Maybe you need to go back and sound it out mate.
By the way, Dunkley is right on the other hand though. All talk and not enough action.
But one thing we all need to realise is that these things take time. We have to consider a long term solution to these incidents that are plaguing our island. Short term and quick solutions will not work. We need to focus on raising the next generation accordingly to ensure that we do not lose them aswell.
And that my friends means we need a long term solution to our problems. Say a 10 year plan or so that pushes on education, ethics, community, that good ole Bermuda love that we were world reknown for. Things like these are what everyone of us are failing to teach and and instill in this upcoming generation.
As a good friend of mines says all the time ‘FOCUS’, ‘YOU NEED TO FOCUS!’ And ‘USE YOUR HEAD!’
Here’s a solution- Tell your premier stop cutting funds from stuff that is important, LIKE EDUCATION. These drop outs and failures now will turn into violent criminal and theives in 10 years. Just like the ones now who grew up in the first decade the PLP were in power.
I can’t believe this woman cut the education budget, yet the Bermuda regiment kept all their money
I love this… Government is accused of spending too much, when government makes changes around the edges, everything is “off limits”.
For every dropout and failure there are 5 success stories that come out of our public education system. Stop putting down your own.
I think you have that backwards mate. It’s more like for every success there are 5 failures. Who are you trying to kid, seriously? Out of the couple hundred people in my year back in in highscool(02′, 03′, 04′ and 05′), I can count on my two hands how many are doing something positive with themselves.
govt was accused of spending too much improperly, not just spending too much..
the free buses, free daycare, free school, healthcare, the capital projects that went into the 10′s of millions over budget, the constant trips with entourages..
in my honest opinion, i almost feel that the govt did this blanket “budget cutting” of important areas as a “see what you made us do” type attack back at its critics… people did not ask for police or education or basic transport to be reduced.. they asked for the wastage to be reduced.. .huge difference..
Govt needs to cut spending…then whatever Govt cuts there are people that complain. You can’t have it both ways. Also it is very easy for the opposition to cry foul over cuts, but let’s see where they would make the necessary cuts…
as my previous post states.. the cuts would be made to the huge entourage filled trips, free everything for their voters, and the 10′s of millions overspent on capital projects that are now just causing more problems…
not the basic necessities… had these overspends not been ther ein the first place, the govt would never have even needed to think about making these cuts that they currently are…
For THEIR voters…. are you serious. Are you listening to yourself. Oh yes, you have to be a PLP voter to get them…. I guess you also have to be a PLP voter to get customs duty relief for hotels, retail establishments, restaurants, etc. Maybe we should cut those out, would that please you more?
The cuts are not a result of overspends, don’t get your facts twisted. When the RG talks about a building that costs 20 million more than it was originally projected, without mentioning the fact that it has 2 additional floors and additional requirements due to new PACE laws, some would call that money well spent, that will pay for itself overtime.
But lets get back to the point. Dunkley’s empty statement with no solutions.
firstly, you know full well i didnt mean only the voters get the perks.. you know full well that i meant they throw out freebies to make their voters happy instead of making sustainable and thoughtful policies…
as for the 2 additional floors, etc.. .i didnt realize the dock got two extra floors and extra requirements… or Berkley got 2 extra floors, and extra requirements… or the other millions that arent even accounted for.. were those for some unaccounted for extra floors in an unaccounted for building?
as for dunkley’s empty statement, sometimes telling someone something is a bad idea, or to get their act in gear is a solution in itself. Besides he is in opposition. he has no power.. his job is to hold the current govt accountable..
2 additional floors and new driveways for the cool aid drinkers..or was that the Berkeley fiasco or was the BHC scandal, or was it the cruise ship dock at Dockyard, or was it the hundreds of thousands wasted on consultants, or the performance bond not called in from the union, or was it the trips, the cars, fast ferries but no maintenance, or the bloated civil service. Take your pick.
Fact. The Bermuda Regiment’s budget WAS reduced.
Should you require further confirmation pick up the phone and speak to the Paymaster. You really should do your homework before commenting!!
@Any your ideas?
Keep drinking that PLP Kool-aid my friend. It’s pretty much a known fact that the PLP does what they want to do. There have been suggestions by other parties, but at the end of the day, the PLP will keep on their steady path of bringing Bermuda to it’s destruction.
2020- The year Bermuda will finally hit rick bottom and turn into Juarez Mexico, Kingston Jamaica or maybe even Afghanistan.
Wasn’t that the same philosophy of the UBP/OBA for so many years???
I’m neither PLP or UBP/OBA, nor am I an independent. But one thing I must admit is the truth.
Truth is PLP is just following in the footsteps of ye ole UBP. Fact is that the UBP supporters can’t take what the PLP supporters have been enduring for a number of years.
Come on people, truth is truth. It will set you free, but first its gonna piss you off!! LOL
Path to destruction?
These comments are laughable, but seem a coordinated attempt to make it seem like the world in ending (That was May 21st). Give it a rest man, its not ending and as much as you would like it to, Bermuda isn’t sliding into the abyss. Do we have problems, everyone does, are we making progress on our problems, yes!
You may need to stop drinking the RG Kool-Aid, groupthink is a dangerous thing.
Bermuda is already in the abyss, it’s now about arresting that fall.
OK Buddy! Keep drinking the RG Kool-Aid
Hold on PLP supporter, you don’t get to call anyone else a Kool-aid drinker. That’s our insult for you.
Also, I am not talking about the end of the world, I am talking about the end of Bermuda. Where did you hear me reference May 21st?
I don’t take it as an insult, There are many of us that know the facts. May 21st was a joke, i’m sure other people got it. Lighten up.
I get it was a joke, I just didn’t find it funny. Whether or not PLP supporters know the facts, they are still kool-aid drinkers because they will still vote PLP even though they are CLEARLY running this country into the ground.
I’ll leave you to your opinion. And as usual we’ll let the voters decide.
And they will decide wrong(the PLP) because they only vote for the black party. That is fact. As long as they think the UBP/OBA live in Fairylands or Tuckers Town and the PLP live in court street or ord road, they will always vote PLP
Jobs are dissapearing across all sectors. We have a debt, caused by the PLP, that we cannot maintain. Violent crime is up.
You deny any of that?
1) Jobs are NOT dissapearing across all sectors, and there are businesses HIRING now.
2) Yes we have debt, which is well below international averages and continues to be serviced.
3) Gun crime is up, violent crime in all other categories are down.
Don’t need to deny these things, we need to have a real discussion and not just hurl dumb statements which help no one.
1) Which sectors are hiring?
2) It may well be below “international averages” but we do not have the revenue to support it. That debt was created by PLP mismanagment and incompetance.
3) Oh, well, that’s ok then.
Please do share…who’s hiring????
why don’t you just shut up…..at least he’s doing what I damn well pay him to do…..what about the others that don’t do Sh*t but show up every once in awhile and collect their salary and pension at the end of their ‘service’
You all are loosing me fast. Michael, what are your solutions? All you did above was complain, what is your solution?
You suck at reading.
and ALL you do (sandgrowman) is antagonise!! why don’t you assist instead of B…hing???
Look, if “Vote OBA” makes an incorrect statement, which I beleive he/she did, then I’m going to call him/her on it.
Dunkley’s comments are spot on.
His comments may be spot on, but he has NO solution. As Dunkley said, talk is cheap. So why don’t you do something instead of talking.
Oh yeah, he’s busy making a killing off of selling milk….
and whould could Mr. Dunkley do? he’s the opposition he’s not in a position to do anything really
You sound bitter? Party before coutnry every time with you isn’t it? Must suck knowing the PLP have messed up everything htey have touched.
As a thought, why don’t the PLP take that business like they did with the cement business?
I Believe his solution was …get your finger out of your -ss and do it…..14 years now and PLP have done nothing but waste money..and time.
Please someone tell me one thing they have done to really help Bermuda…and do not say anything “free” was given…and do not presume UBP would have done nothing the last 14 years.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. They can only be who they are. He is right about the need for a social plan though. The reason he won’t be specific on it is because it involves economic redress and equality (even the Royal gazette admits that). That core, that UBP base now in OBA underwear can’t handle that yet so “social response to the problem” is all we’re gonna get.
Here we go again. I predict 150+comments.
Lol, yup. I shall get the ball rolling with this comment. The only way Bermuda can claw it’s way out of the sinkhole that we are currently in is if black Bermudians get over this notion that our countries leaders have to be black. That’s the honest truth. Everyone knows that the PLP only gets voted in Because it’s members are majority (if not all)black. They don’t want to vote UBP or OBA because white men are involved. The PLP, UBP and OBA can have the exact same political stances and ideas, but the PLP with have a closet crack addict as their head, and still be chosen over the others.
I can understand why some would want to have a black leader, you think “Oh, he/she looks like me, he knows my struggle.” I can promise you, these ministers make six figures a year on top of their side job know nothing about what you’re going through, white or black. So my suggestion, stop paying attention to skin color, and actually listen to what they have to say and form your opinion/vote based on that.
Have you ever thought that people actually do listen to the issues and vote based on them? I don’t think its fair to speak about how other people think, the question is, how do you think. Do you vote based on race?
I for one don’t think the PLP gets voted in because of race. If that was the case they would have been the government LONG before 1998! I think voters can asses who they think is the best option given the choices to run the country at any given time. Stop oversimplyfying it. 53% of people voted PLP, the electorate is 70% black. Not all blacks vote PLP and not all whites vote UBP. Leave race out of it, and focus on the issues.
What you wrote above is that you think the opposition is better than the PLP. Fine for you to have the notion, but no need to bring race into it. I think it insults the intelligence of voters with comments, like “but the PLP with have a closet crack addict as their head, and still be chosen over the others”, and in that case (assuming you are one) your fellow Bermudians.
If the PLP left “race out of it”, then they would never be re-elected. If they were assessed purely on their performance, they would never be re-elected.
On balance, with an isolated idea here and there, they have been an abject failure. To think otherwise demonstrates a lack of ability for critical thought.
@ Sandgrownman
Thanks for the back up.
@Preto Plato
Are you serious? Seems like every time a PLP member has the stage, they always bring up race. They get black Bermudians made at the white man, and insure that they get re-elected. Even though only 53% voted PLP and the electorate is 70% black, all that means to me is that not everyone voted, it can be as simple as that. Also, I haven’t voted at all, be it PLP or UBP because I haven’t heard anything yet to warrant me choosing one or the other. Bermuda is too small for all this party politics b.s. and if it continues (which is probably will) then there will be no way of saving this country.
Glad my U.K. passport is on the way.
Have you ever thought that you are in the minority and the Majority of people who showed up and voted DISAGREED with you.
Why is it so hard for people to understand that not everyone agrees with what the RG/UBP/OBA put out. Just because all your friends feel that way doesn’t mean all of Bermuda does.
Preto – here’s the thing. It’s not about an opinion. It’s a dispassionate look at the PLP’s record. Frankly, it’s awful. It truly sucks.
If you disgree, then you are divorced from reality. On almost every metric, the PLP has failed. On top of that they have lied, cheated and presided over a financial disaster.
@Sandgrownman
Thank you for addressing that comment for me, I have nothing else to say now Lol.
Ahh yes, PLP responsible for Global Financial crisis. I knew it was coming sometime. No worries mate, keep to your opinion. If you can’t speak facts, then believe your opinion.
The PLP is not responsible for the Global Financial Crisis, I don’t think anyone has claimed they were. But feel free to avoid the fact that the PLP created a monstrous debt that we can ill afford, they failed to plan and they overspent, they had poor controls and qualified audits. They are utterly incompetant. Meanwhile they did their best to alienate the single pillar of our economy. Pricks.
They created a financial disaster on this island, if you cannot see that, then you truly are blind to reality.
I’m not avoiding the fact, but the debt was a result of soft revenue brought on by the financial crisis. To say we can ill afford it means that you wouldn’t have done it, but all countries responded to the financial crisis in the same way with deficit spending.
Controls are much stronger than they were 13 years ago, and the qualification is only over dispute on the valuation of Government buildings. Please don’t forget it was the PLP government that strengthened the office of the Auditor General.
And while you say they did their best to alienate the single pillar of our economy, how many more insurance companies, international business, and related jobs are here in Bermuda than were here in 1998. Plenty more. Sorry but the facts don’t match your fiction.
Wait, we’re discussing the financial crisis, i thought this was about crime and Dunkley’s empty statement while he repeatedly politicises the issue.
Wow, Preto Plato land must be a nice place to be.
THE DEBT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF OVERSPENDING. The signs of a slow down and softening of revenue were there, and wehn it was pointed out, the PLP told us to ‘mind our own business”, “we know what we’re doing”, “plantation blah blah”…”everything is fine”.
And why do you think there is softening revenue? Because there are fewer people employed, fewer people “buying stuff”. That doesn’t supprot the assertion that there are more people in IB. There aren’t. There have been redundancies across the board and removal of roles from Bermuda. You are in cloud cuckoo land buddy. It’s a f*cking disaster out there. And what do the PLP, restrict work permits, kill liquidity in the housing market and put more people on hte bread line. Real smart.
Also, the PLP cut money from Transport and Tourism, which is absolutely ridiculous. Other than international business, we depend on tourism, and it seems like the PLP is doing everything in it’s power to ruin that too.
I can honestly say that we would be better off with George W. Bush as our leader. At least he recognized the error of his ways near the end and started to try and fix things. The PLP will continue to do the same thing over and over and hope for a different result. And do you know what that is called? Insanity.
“Please don’t forget it was the PLP government that strengthened the office of the Auditor General”.
I forget the exact timing of it. Was that before or after they had the Police harrass and arrest the former AG in his office?
The PLPs entire platform has a foundation stacked with race cards.
Hey Preto Plato let us know when you come back down to reality here on Earth, specifically Bermuda. You must be living on Pluto.
if you want to leave race out of it, how do you explain the “they to send us back to the plantation” comments made during election rallies?
is it ok for plp to call that out at elections, and then claim that there isnt a large pull for people to vote PLP simply because they are black?
how about the commentators that admit there are wrongs, but then say they never want the white oligarchy to rule again, regardless of where the island goes?? is there no race in that?
For 40 years the PLP did nothing but criticize and complain too ..Offering nothing of substance or alternatives .How quickly we forget.
It’s the very nature of the opposition ,whoever they may be , to not give their ideas as they know the ruling party would hi-jack them and call them their own after successfully implimenting them .
Party politics sux .
At the end of the day the PLP is in charge. This is the same party I voted for a few years back. Right now I’m not sure how far my support will go the next election. We have some serious problems when a convicted murderer shouts out “you all are pussies take me back home.”
Is Westgate that nice that we have killers calling it home!!!
I don’t understand why the Government can’t have all prisoners on a 23 hour lock down. From what I understand it’s a country club. They just don’t have any women…….jezz.
I can recall when I had to go too the Hamilton Police Station and bail out my cousin for a unpaid ticket. The police officers were bringing a guy out in cuffs. He asked them where was he going? They told him West. Next words out of his mouth was “good because the food sucks here.”
And how does that relate to the thread at hand? You may be lost too….speaking to something other than the thread at hand…just like your Senator here…
No ideas hey…read the statement again and also read some of the other statements that are highlighted after this one above…one can clearly see many suggested solutions and an Operation Ceasefire like Plan has been a key one for some years now!
The facts clearly show we have allowed this rot to grow in our society and I have stayed on this subject offering criticism and suggestions.
We must do better!
To everybody who has critized this article; MIKE DUNKLEY HAS SPOKEN THE TRUTH!!
and aa far his solutions l agree with “It’s not rocket science”
What solutions do you speak of exactly. I must have missed them when i read the article.
He identifies, critically, the reduction in Police funding, the under-manning, the distracting political fight with the Governor, the scatterbrained and lengthy process the current govt goes through before it actually does anything.
It’s competely evident what he’s driving at. It would be better if the police had adequate funding, sufficient manpower, and if the plp govt were to formulate and execute some sort of plan, rather than lurching from one “idea of the day” to the next. But they don’t: the plp (who are supposed to be running the country) have no evident plan, they just knee-jerk a press release after every murder saying ‘this time we really really are going to do something’. It hasn’t worked. We need change.
While the police budget may have decreased this past year, it actually was increased in the years prior to this, and there was an increase in crime in both these years. So that tells me that there is no direct correlation between funding vs crime. The more significant issue is the management of the policing and the strategic plan for the BPS. Not the funding.
From all accounts, the Governor, the Commissioner and the Government are on the same page, and we are seeing to a large degree the benefits of this. There will never be a “zero crime rate” but we are seeing more arrests and convictions for certain crimes.
I find it disingenous that Senator Dunkley tries to lay the blame for everything at the feet of the Government. Bermudians are not stupid. We realize there is blame to go around and that the solutions need to come from all sectors as well.
No, Police budgets were decreased in previous years as well by the plp.
In any case, the police budget decreased this year, at a time when crime, violent crime, is worse than it has ever been.
Again, show me where the budgets were decreased please. You seem to refute my statements but won’t show any details.
SMH.
Police Budget
08-09 $71.6m
09-10 $60.5m
10-11 $65.7m
And then for 11-12 the Police budget was reduced by $16m or so.
So,over that 4-year period, 08-09 was the high-water mark.
Funding the Police obviously has not been a high priority for the plp.
You missed the additional monies given to the police over those same years.
For example, you list 09-10 at $60.5M – The police were given $10.1 million additional so that they actually spent $70.6M.
We’ll see what the final 10-11 figure is when it comes in, but I’m sure it’ll be over the $65.7 budgeted.
Wait, how come Dunkley isn’t complaining about the overspending by the police…. Ahh of course, because that wouldn’t suit his political ambitions. To tell the truth.
So as i said, stop drinking the UBP/OBA/RG Kool-Aid, and stop being selective with your facts.
The OBA politicising the issue of crime is quite disgusting, this isn’t a UBP/OBA/PLP/Black/White issue, its a Bermuda issue. If dunkley was so concerned, he could write a One Million dollar check and fund his own operation cease-fire.. All talk is right!
Right. Police funding is reduced, and I’m being ‘selective with the facts’. OK then.
So basically your stats show that in 2010-11 the Police Budget went up, and we actually also had an increase in violent crime – you made my point that increasing budget allocations does not always directly relate to a reduction in crime. it takes more than just money.
SMH, you said “show me where Police budgets were decreased please”, and I showed you. But it still isn’t good enough for you.
Over time Police funding has been reduced, and crime is up.
The PLP are out of ideas.
ha! what you showed me was the increase in 2010-2011.
Um, your facts were WRONG. Don’t use fake facts to make an argument.
The ‘fake facts’ are from the Budget Statement issued by the Government.
You said ‘show me a decrease’. 2008-09 to 2009-10 was a $10m decrease.
“Bermudians are not stupid”
OK, I’m done here…
Those are his criticisms, not his solutions
1) Look at the long term trend on police funding since 2005, it is up significantly.
2) Police had money to fully staff last year and will have it this year, Dunkley is just blowing smoke. He’s a politician, that’s what he’s paid to do.
3) Distracting fight with the Governor isn’t a distraction, it is fact. The GOVERNOR controls the police, not the Government. If the government want action they have to ask the GOVERNOR, and if he isn’t willing then i’m guessing you’d prefer the elected government to sit silent. FACT Former GOVERNOR in 2007 refused the governments repeated pleas for outside assistance for the police service, the former GOVERNOR insisted BPS had it under control. It wasn’t until 2009, under a NEW GOVERNOR were these pleas finally actioned.
And therein lies your problem, you say “if the plp govt were to formulate and execute some sort of plan”.. The PLP Government does not control the police. That is the GOVERNOR.
And while you say the government isn’t doing anything, We’ve seen numerous new laws passed to assist law enforcement, we’ve seen increased arrests and convictions, we’ve seen would be gang members assisted by programs such as mirrors, and event the GOVERNOR has praised the government for its actions. But don’t forget, the government cannot compel the police to do anything.
So back to my point, Dunkley mentioned no solutions, and offered NOTHING different that he would do with the exception to his “Operation Ceasefire” which is nothing more than heavy-hand of the law tied in with focused social work within the communities. But from your view, you don’t think the government has done this, I disagree!
Funding is down – look up the thread.
Don’t know what your idea of a “long-term trend” is. Funding is way down; that’s the long-term trend. Along the other long-term trend, rising violent crime.
You really don’t check you facts do you Preto Plato? The PLP government did not ask for help from the governor. The governor took it upon himself to bring in a foreign officer to help out, his name escapes me now, but I’m sure everyone knows who I am referring to. These ‘leaders’ as some like to call them, are too proud and arrogant to ask someone they view as not Bermudian or an outsider for help. I’m just glad this governor didn’t wait around for someone to ask for help and finally decided to do something.
Hmmmm… I guess you don’t remember when Ewart said Bermuda needs a SWAT team and the UBP and the Governor were like no! Convenient memories you have. And what part did you miss about the government doesn’t control the police. If the governor wanted help in 2006 he would have gotten it as he has unchecked power. Your own statement doesn’t make sense.
One day PLP is too proud to ask for foreign help, next day PLP needs to have less foreign consultants.
The schizophrenia of the UBP/OBA is ever-present. Keep it up!
That’s because a SWAT team would have been wrong.
What do we need a SWAT team for? Do you not know what their prime objectives are? They mainly deal with hostage situations and I can’t remember the last time that has happened in Bermuda. Also Bermuda already has a police task force similar to SWAT, so I don’t know why Brown was asking for a SWAT team.
“The PLP Government does not control the police. That is the GOVERNOR.”
Does the name Larry Dennis ring a bell?
Read it again.
Problem? We have a problem?
And here I was thinking that things were running so smoothly. Gosh, the Premier is lunching in Washington DC; buses going on strike; and it rained. Pretty normal to be.
plp suck
Why are people surprised when a member of the opposition criticizes Goverment (deliberate truck spelling)?
We can tell that all the negative comments above are just people who read this looking for a solution to the problems PLP can’t fixed. All this article did was outline what has been done and a rational explantions to a problem that needs more than a solution but a step-by-step way to tackle each problem that will lead up to a the solution. But since we can tell that the negative people dont have a solution, and just an opinion. Why dont they add something contructive to what was said in this article. At the end of the Dunkley is addressing the problem, and outlining the efforts of the Present Government. I dont see him downgrading the PlP but just using an extension to what he has seen and what he wholeheartedly doesnt agree with.
Senator Dunkley continues to simply criticize and play politics with a serious issue. Most people with common sense know that it will take all sectors of the community coming together to stamp out the social ills that are plaguing our community. To say the government is doing nothing is totally disingenuous and a blatant lie. But the government also cannot and should not be required to go it alone either. Mr Dunkley fails to comment or speak to the fact that crime in general is actually down. Violent crime has been up yes, but we all know what crimes they are. However, I think we have seen an uptick also in convictions and sentences related to some of these crimes. There is no quick fix or overnight solution. However this type of politics being played by Senator Dunkley is disingenuous at best.
False.
“Crime in general is actually down”?? Keep drinking that coolaid.
Show me the stats that say that my statement is incorrect.
Show me the facts that say it is correct.
It goes both ways SMH
Find your own stats SMH. Show us that “crime is down”, since it’s your assertion.
Is it in the same survey that says we’re in a “Platinum Period”?
Everyone is missing the BIG Picture…which includes at Total proper review of the Bermuda Police Service as they are also a big part of the problem^^
No Graeme,
The BPS is part of the solution, not the problem. Many people seem to be missing this point.
@ Hudson…maybe SOME are part of the solution..Definetely not ALL as SOME of them are PART of the problem…..
I agree Graeme, Just watch the “COPS” episodes on TV. COMRADERY, TEAMWORK, CONFIDENCE, INCENTIVE, DISCIPLINE, GUTS, From the east coast to the west coast.
In the end, no matter who you vote for, government always gets in…
Spot on ^-^….
Um outta hear. “Goverment”….bwahaaaa…..
I bet you Dunkley can spell government! great article!
the mantra and those of fellow PLP plants is this: OBA is the NewBP – despite the fact that PLP has Jamhal Simmons, Mzxwell Burgess, Darius Tucker, Jonathan Smith, Wayne Furbert (also I think Larry Scott, Lew Peniston – even Julian Hall was UBP!). the other theme here seems to be that the OBA has no plan. WTF? the PLP has been in power for 13 years and the economy is in freefall, tourism is dead, education is at an all time low, unemployment at an all time high, shootings are almost a daily occurrence, debt is the highest it has ever been, unions are griping more than ever, poverty is at an all time high. PLP plan = bring the country to its knees. OBA plan = put Bermuda First – they have identified the top six areas of concern – OPERATION CEASEFIRE IS JUST ONE SOLUTION OF MANY. So PLP = Pathetic Lame Party aka the New BP with a plan to destroy Bermuda and the OBA is an alliance of people who want to put Bermuda First and save the island.
The mantra of the OBA Plants is this.
1) Ignore the fact their party is hemorrhaging people and no one is joining them
2) Pretend the OBA has a plan, while not saying anything and criticising government’s plans
3) Pretend the economy is in a un-arrestable freefall, while the companies they own continue to rack up profits all around
4) Ignore the fact the PLP Government secured new investments in tourism and is continuing the work to improve our product here on island
5) Pretend our kids our not succeeding while their newspaper ignores the many successes of our young ones who leave the public school system and attend the best schools abroad with private and government scholarships.
6) Pretend that recessions are a new thing, and ignore the fact that in the last recession in 1991-1993 unemployment was just as high. This while opposing steps to protect Bermudians in the workforce
7) Portray the crime problem as being worse than it is ‘shootings almost daily’, while ignoring the successes that the BPS is actually having against the criminal gangs and the fact that almost all gang bosses are in jail.
I think you get the picture……. While you may think Bermuda needs saving, there are just as many people who can separate fact from fiction.
Fact is that Bermuda is more educated and prosperous than we were in 1998. There are more businesses, more jobs, more entrepreneurs, and more Bermudian homeowners. Fact is that we have a modern economy, modern infrastructure, and just like we have before we will navigate our challenges through hard work and perseverance.
“Fact is that Bermuda is more educated and prosperous than we were in 1998. There are more businesses, more jobs, more entrepreneurs, and more Bermudian homeowners.”
That’s fundamentally false.
You sure your “Pluto”…that dopey dog from years ago. How much they paying you……….
+Fact is that Bermuda is more educated and prosperous than we were in 1998. There are more businesses, more jobs, more entrepreneurs, and more +
Please . please tell me what it’s is that you’re on … I desperately want some … No , NEED some !
@Jim Bean
Thank you, you summed it up perfectly. I remember the pre-PLP years, and I don’t recall things being as bad as they are now. 1998 was the beginning of the end for this country. I just hope Bermudians are awake now and know that the PLP are not the ones to support.
The most ironic thing about people complaining that nobody offers a solution is when people do offer solutions THEY ARE SHOT DOWN!!! There is ALWAYS an excuse or reason why this or that can not be done. Try to offer your PLP MP a solution and see what they say or don’t say for that matter. It gets old people ask for solutions, people offer solutions, people complain about the solutions and NOTHING gets done. But hey, that’s just the way it is. We are a society of all talk and no action. We are reactive instead of being proactive.
Wellsince you included us all in your little box…..did you include yourself?
Solutions? Vatz yah naime bro…….
@ Terry, is it time for your first rum poison yet?
Now how did you know. Damn…..You must be related to Blankman, JNC, Smuckin Gun et al. Yeah my eyes get Mysty at times.
Funny thing is, Mr. Dunkley is right on the mark. All the PLP supporters cry foul when confronted. There’s no need to through out all the OBA’s points and how they will fix them. It’s quite simple. Read the history of the past ten years. Shit, don’t take a fish pot maker to tell you that you have to lower it into the water.
Frustration has taken it’s grip and it’s teeth sunk deep into the wounds of the past few years that all people see is the wounds, the bleeding and how do we/they stop it.
Simple. Stop freeking bitching and moaning from your computers from your nine to five job and stand up. Ah….Don’t wanna get involved only via this tv screen and make yourselves look so above us all with knowledge. Bullshit. You know it I know it.
Mikes points are valid. Read the article. It’s noty about him. It’s not about OBA. It’s about how the opposition will help to reassure, get back to grass roots and just not about the poor black people, their demise. It’s about BERMUDA.
Read a lot of comments here and I feel that people are using the net just like insurgents and ………………………..
This is not Somalia, Yemen, Afganistan, Pakistan, Thailand, Eygpt, Syria, Lebbanon et al.
It’s just a bunch of spoiled freking brats that have had it so good for 400+ years and squandered their heritage.
So who gives a shit if a bunch of limey’s enroute somewhere else founded on the rocks. Fact. If they had not, we’d be another Pooooorto Rico……
I give up with you lut.
Fools and damn fools……
How the hell and why the hell do all you people, who know everything scream and shout because Mr. Dunkley has the ‘tits’ to make a statement. You actually think they sit, have meetings, and pick a member to say something so the Royal Gizzard can sell a few papers…..BWAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Thats why it is called “PREPERATION “H” ..
Preparing for the hill.
You tell um Mike. Tell um in a White/Green/Pink shorts/21 Day Strike Notice………….
The party is a great bunch of people that can only do better than the fools that squandered, reaped profits and laugh from foriegn lands.
Anyway…time for my bottle, injections and maybe and island tour……
Damn buses…Hey!……Let that lady with the child sit down ……’Who yoo tawkin two….yah nut mighy mumma….ann yoo look lyke ah main…yoo gay…………
Peace.
The breeding ground for future gang violence is in the schools. These school children have separated themselves into little gangs with South-side,West-side,East-side etc. They even have their own bench they sit at during lunch. I know first hand that something silly happens in school then they meet outside of school around the bus terminal etc where the beef escalates to a fight. The point I am making is, if the schools and parents don’t put a stop to this behaviour now it can escalate to more violence when they finish school, such as the gun violence we have now. We need to set up clubs or youth centres that parents can send their kids to so that they can be kept away from the negative environment. You cant force them but if the parents see negative behavior setting in they can send them to these clubs or camps after school. That’s just one solution.
Parents particularly young parents have to stop thinking that the bad behavior little Johnny is displaying is funny nip it in the butt before he grows into it. The thugs who are perpetrating these shootings cannot be saved we need to recognize negative behaviour that has the potential to escalate in our schools with our young people so that we can stop the growing escalation of future violence. Parents need to get involved, we shouldn’t have cops hanging around the bus terminal baby sitting these kids looking like we are in Beirut City or Afghanistan.
SMH
Fellow Bermudians:Please reflect……….everyone in Bermuda was in a more challenged position when we came here..it was not easy for anyone to survive.Whether you were slave-masters… or slaves …black or white……. Portuguese or…….American….Jamaican…Barbadian……..or..St.Kitian whatever nationality..color or creed…….the one thing that we all had to have was Gumption and the will to survive and succeed.That was a fact and the reality……..I have made a personal observation……..I have never seen so many weak and negative comments coming from persons on this blog in my life…what happened to Bermuda Optimism…????????without it you are already finished.Please do not feed our progeny such doom and gloom attitudes….personally I believe that we can survive anything …..if we have a winning spirit and……if we want to…….we have done so in the past…do we really want to win or do we just like to ……. and moan.We sound like a bunch of losers…..Geesum……I like Winners.!
Amen!
Hard to be optimistic when the muppets in charge do their level best f*ck everything up. Clueless.
I just think the public should start voting for a party which will actually do a good job instead of voting for one based on the color of their skin. And about the gangs here, i say we bring back good old vigilante justice. Kill them all, they are a waste of space and even when they are caught and put in jail they still cost the tax payer $80,000 a year. Clean up the scum!
Look, the solution here is not less guns, but MORE guns! Legalize all firearms, large, small, concealable, automatic, armour-piercing etc….MORE guns, and give them to EVERYBODY! That’s right…I’m talking gangsters, government workers, insurance brokers, politicians, tourists, homeless people….EVERYBODY.
If EVERYBODY had a gun, the prospect of Mutually Assured Destruction would absolutely 100% deter anyone from using them, and this is guaranteed.
Think about it…as an example, let’s say you’re walking down Queen street, and you see some guy who dissed your Granny at a party the week before. MAN OH MAN, you want to just pull the Desert Eagle out of your trousers and *BLAP BLAP BLAP*…..BUT WAIT (and here’s the kicker)….CHANCES ARE THAT HE IS ALSO CARRYING HIS FIREARM, AND THAT ANY VIOLENCE YOU INCITE WILL LEAD TO A SIMILARLY VIOLENT RETALIATION…and guess who wants that? NOBODY, THAT’S WHO.
Seriously though, it works on an international scale with nuclear deterrence, it’ll work here. End. Of. Story.
- Peace through Guns
I think your solution would work with a population that already owns guns in large percentages and has easy access to illegal firearms like the US for example. Bermuda is not a gun-toting nation by and large so you’d actually be asking people to become gun owners instead of allowing gun owners to carry their weapons concealed. I agree that if people knew that the average citizen were carrying a gun then gun crimes such as armed robbery and school massacres, mall shootings etc would decrease. But Gang violence? NO!
Great solution, wrong country!
We must first admit that Gang violence is a difficult thing to end, research supports this finding. Gang Violence exist in almost most country in the world, and few if any have had success in ending it! Solutions are not always easy to implement to end the violence. In theory it reads well, looks good….but in reality it is totally different! Gang violence has so many variables associated with it, which makes it difficult to resolve ! Gang Violence is a Bermuda Problem. We as a people must come together to try and result this on going violence. It is not easy to end…as I am sure by now the PLP, UBP, OBA and all the other Ps.. would have all resolved it by now. It is easy to talk about ending it and what PLP should do…..but not so simple in realistic terms. This issues is so serious that we should not split hairs over it, but come together as one to see how we can reduce it and eventually end it !! Please do not say it is not in my “neighbourhood mentality”, because it will eventually impact you in someway or the other.
Thanks for the positive solutions………at least now we are talking solutions……I feel better now ….if there are any negative solutions ….at least they are solution orientated….better than moaning and groaning…..!Congratulations Bermuda…..Proud to be a stand up Bermudian…..!Thanks……that’s Gumption we are all in this together whether we want to be or not this is a Bermy problem and we can handle it collectively the Bermy Way……if we think positively together……and we will all get out of it together and we will stand..better to stand for something …than than roll over for nothing….!and punk out……..
The PLP government have no clue as to solving the gang violence they are as confused as a cow on astroturf.
@ The Truth..
I guess the PLP took a turn from your UBP handbook.
Maybe when the UBP MP turned his gun on his daugther for dating a BLACK man, he should have been expelled from the party and made an example of.
Maybe when the lil white boy from Fairylands pulled the samari sword to use in a fight, should have been made an example of.
Mandatory 3yrs sentence, if my memory serves me correct.
Okay, let’s all assume that we know what the issues are. As seen above, they have been rehashed and restated over and over again by both parties, so I don’t really need to spend time on them. How about a brainstorm? Seems to me many of the comments above are just unconstructive b*tching from people who are clearly entrenched in their own personal political beliefs. Let’s drop the politics for a second and think of ways to fix the problems. Some of these ideas may not be perfect; they may even be impossible or unworkable. But if we don’t throw them out there, how can we come up with better ideas than the ones we’re stuck with now?
The Economy
Okay, there is a massive amount of public debt, and obviously cuts are necessary. The enormous amount of money spent on non-essentials in the public sector needs to be addressed. Here are some ways that could, IMHO, help alleviate that:
* Cut all unnecessary travel by government officials. If it can be done on Gotomeeting.com or some other similar setup, try to arrange those kind of meetings. Heck, put Skype in every government boardroom! Other countries will understand if a small country in the midst of an economic recession would rather not spend the cash for flights etc. Why does a delegation need to fly to India or Bahrain to discuss a tax treaty? Discuss it over a secure link (again, readily accessible technology) and when signatures are required, the relevant Minister, his PA and perhaps another rep could fly to the jurisdiction, stay briefly (cutting on airfare, hotel, per diems etc) and then come back home. The Internet, and its ancillary technologies can assist communication relatively cheaply now. Why not exploit that?
* Drop the Ministerial fleet. Granted, leaders may be required to get around on the people’s business, but why does the taxpayer need to pay for the cost of the vehicle? If the island didn’t have such a heavy financial burden hanging over it, maybe I could be brought around to seeing the need for a SMALL pool of official cars, but the need for austerity for the benefit of the populous should trump the need of a few Ministers who want to look good and feel important for themselves. I think the reaction from the public, if Ministers were to be seen riding around in their own transport, would be more politically valuable than sticking it to the segment of the population who object (regardless of the size of any vocal minority). Why not have an expenses reporting system whereby reasonable expenses for Ministers are reimbursed? This could also protect the public purse if a layer of scrutiny is maintained.
* Encourage paperless government and energy conservation in government-owned and used buildings. The amount of paper used in government is phenomenal I bet, and while you can’t fault it, there are other ways to conduct business, store information and maintain records.
* Tax luxury items like boats/cars worth over a certain value. Those who can afford these things can contribute a little back to the community, especially if it is from the community that they achieved such buying power! Not to mention this could also act as a deterrent against buying ridiculously large vehicles that contribute to the pollution/traffic problem that has plagued our island for a while now.
* Amend planning laws to encourage green homes. Bermuda was way ahead of the curve (perhaps through necessity, but it’s still ingenious nonetheless) in using cisterns/tanks/water catchments to create a sustainable source of drinking water. Why not tweak the existing planning regs to see if we can’t become more sustainable in other ways? This could reduce the island’s reliance on foreign oil etc, put more money into the consumer’s pockets, and perhaps encourage spending at the consumer level in other areas.
Education
* Lengthen the school day. This could serve to keep vulnerable children away from the influence of gang members they might encounter in the after-school hours while they wander home and the parent(s) is/are at work until 5. It would also increase the opportunities for children to learn new skills (say in afterschool clubs–led by parent’s volunteering their time?) or in organised sports teams. These new skills can build a child’s confidence and teach valuable lessons of responsibility. Also, it can serve as a focal point for parents to gravitate to, thereby becoming more involved in their child’s school-life.
* Require public school teachers to use the summer months improving their skills-sets. The Department of education can arrange local lectures, conferences, and the like quite easily. The government certainly didn’t have an issue bringing in consultants for every little thing before. Why not do it for something worthwhile and more cost-effective then sending local teachers abroad to further their professional knowledge and skills.
* Promote teaching education programmes at Bermuda College. The professional courses available already are a promising start for young Bermudians, so why not develop an Education school that can add more teachers to the current population.
* Drop term limits for foreign teachers. Let foreign teachers who have taught on the island for a continuous period of a certain amount of time to get their PRC. This should not be a permanent action, but while Bermudians get trained up themselves, it’s a good way to encourage those from abroad, who can help our youth, to come to our shores and better Bermudian lives. If knowledge is power, surely the more teachers available to our children (and even some of our adults) can’t have horrible repercussions?
Crime
I firmly believe that the root of our criminal problems today is found in the lack of quality education available to young Bermudians. Couple that with a deteriorating family unit, and there is no support for these people to succeed. They have been left behind, feel that they cannot rely on “the system”, and turn to gang membership to find another way of creating stability in their lives. Might not be the stability that honest folk might choose, but there’s the difference: choice. Without a good education, the individuals in these groups have few places to turn, and so they band together in support, making money (that ever-present engine of the world) by selling drugs. Because of the controlled nature of these substances, the prices they fetch on the street are based on risk, and that adds a nice premium, which escalates the vested interests these gangs have in their products, thus turf wars etc. The escalation also incentivizes these groups to find better ways of limiting their rivals. Guns are the natural choice. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
* Legalize certain drugs, and begin a policy of treating drug users as patients not criminals. We have an amazing new hospital facility currently under construction, so why can’t we overhaul our views about addiction and prevention education. Yes, some drugs have the ability to have a devastating impact on families and one’s own life, but not all substance are the same. That marijuana is the most commonly used recreational drug is common knowledge these days. There is evidence that the current approach to drugs (at least from a personal harm perspective) is flawed. (See: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/12/13/you_cant_handle_the_truth/) but it seems to me that if we’re okay taxing alcohol and cigarettes, why not tax cannabis as well. This has the effect of removing this product from the grip of gangs, thus reducing criminality, and creates another revenue stream for government. Worried about your child becoming an addict? Early education and strong addiction support services can help. Drug tourism? Look at what Amsterdam has done: http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-07/travel/amsterdam.pot.shops.ban_1_coffee-shops-dutch-drug-pot-shops?_s=PM:TRAVEL
* Reach out to the gangs. Yes, this has been done, but we haven’t heard much by way of results. Were there any? The Bermuda Police Service must be commended for their work in this area over the past year or so, maybe even a bit further back. But, you can also get more flies with honey. Offer different ways of communication: support groups, church groups, official “talks”. If we’re to bring these young Bermudians back into the fold, we have to see why it was they left in the first place, right?
* Dunkley is right: follow through on those initiatives being mulled over. Don’t just announce and forget or put on the back burner. Set public targets and meet them. If you can’t, have a reason why. Voters’ children are being shot. Who cares if you fail after announcing an initiative meant to address the problem. Better to have tried and failed then never to have tried. The political value in this is, one would have thought, obvious.
Tourism
* Like the media council, let the hoteliers, restaurateurs and those directly connected with the Hospitality Sector manage that sector. The nature of the industry makes experience in the industry the most valuable tool available, and frankly, career civil servants and other persons only remotely connected to the tourism sector are the exactly WRONG people to be setting tourism policy and innovating ways in which we can rejuvenate our tourism product. Set up an independent Tourism Board, and leave the politics out of it. Let the business-people make money in ways they know will work, or at least have a better idea of whether it will work. If they’re making money, the money will find its way into the economy. Government should only facilitate and assist, not direct, in this area.
* up the ad campaigns overseas. Use local ad companies, not consultants. I can assure you the quality of their work will suffice, if it isn’t better than the work any consultant could achieve. And, it would probably be cheaper overall. Add to that the political value of being seen to be using BERMUDIAN knowledge and skill to better our island’s lot in the global market place, and you may just have a winning initiative. I cite by way of example, the kerfuffle around the foreign commission of Dame Louis’ statue. I remain unconvinced that the full tendering process was utilized, and even if it wasn’t more cost effective, Bermudian pride in memorializing one of Bermuda’s national heroes through Bermudian skill and artistic talent should have been given greater weight in the determination.
Obviously, there are plenty of other issues that need to be looked at, but the above are my humble submissions to the court of public discourse on ways we can solve the problems of today. I’ve tried not to let race or politics creep into the conversation, because I think they muddy the waters and stifle constructive discussion. I may be wrong, and I may be mistaken, but at least I have put forward some ideas, and that is all we can do. Sure, there are flaws, but the question shouldn’t be what are they? It should be what can be done to fix/mitigate those flaws?
Sorry for the long post, but wanted to get it all out on the table for discussion!