Action Group Needed To Address Gun Violence

July 6, 2015

Hamilton East MP Derrick Burgess is calling for the “formation of a high-profile community action group” to address the perpetrators of gang and gun violence after the recent shooting in Bailey’s Bay, which has left a 40-year-old man in critical condition.

“This insensible shooting and continued gun violence within our community has left one of our own seriously injured, and now the confirmed mistaken identity is an outrage that cannot be overlooked,” the PLP said. “This issue must be confronted in a diligent and passionate approach.”

Mr. Burgess comments, “I witness the pain of a family after their son, a 40 year old father of two was seriously injured from gunshot wounds while socialising at Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club.

“Let our thoughts and prayers be with the family, daughters and friends of this young man. This has saddened many in the Hamilton Parish community, as he was well known, well liked and troubled no one.”

“The time is now that the community must partner and work with the members of Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club to address and tackle this anti-social behaviour.

“We cannot tolerate our children getting shot and killed or seriously injured within our communities any longer. There is no excuse for criminality; it must be dealt with swiftly and robustly.

“We need to change the life stories of our young men ending up dead or wounded on our streets or locked in a cycle of re-offending or refusing to exit their violent lifestyles.

“It is our duty to eradicate this gang and gun violence by providing the police with all the tools they need to protect our communities.”

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Comments (13)

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  1. Raymond Ray says:

    Hamilton East M.P. Derrick Burgess I agree with you 100%.
    “It is our duty to eradicate this gang and gun violence by providing the police with all the tools they need to protect our communities.”
    Unfortunately, many people do know who are the “crooks” and in many cases are related to the “crooks” therefore we will seldom see someone being arrested / convicted of certain crimes on the Island. A long story short, “we are our own worse enemy.” If you are also tired of this insanity do your part in stopping the b.s. that’s overrun this place.

  2. Juice says:

    Um…not to come off as being facetious, but how does an action group help to put an end to gun violence? Will this community action group do anything but talk about it?

  3. who cares most says:

    Its sad that we wait until this type violence hits our door step that we feel compelled to try and get things done.
    There have been numerous gun battles over the past and finally you want to get sum changes.
    Why wasn’t this done prior December 2012?

  4. Unbelievable says:

    So Derrick Burgess is calling out the Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club and the Hamilton Parish community? And not the Govt? My goodness.

  5. aceboy says:

    Almost daily shootings back in 2008. Mr. Burgess has a very short memory.

  6. Rick Olson says:

    Maybe we should hire some consultants or bring back Rev. Farrakhan …….NO WE NEED TOUGHER POLICING AND POLITICIANS WITH BALLS !

  7. Kim Smith says:

    Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. People have to choose not to resolve their issues with violence.

    • Person who knows a little says:

      Do you work for the NRA?

  8. Juice, I had the same thought.

  9. Onion says:

    So he wants a PR exercise, not anything that will actually stop the shooting.

    These politicians really do live in an alternate reality.

  10. Long Bay Trading Co. says:

    Why all the ‘talk, talk’ Mr. Burgess? Why not just do it rather than talk about it?

    • PBanks says:

      If anyone’s in a position to spur such a venture, he is. He’s known to be quite active in his constituency, so it’s definitely something he could spearhead. Maybe this salvo is his early attempt to get the word out.

    • Terry says:

      Politics.
      Better to be seen and heard and bring attention to oneself and party.