Comments on: Tribute Video: Murder Victim Jason Smith

By: The Cross Eyed Bear

The Cross Eyed Bear — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:53:00 +0000

@Truth. You question my intellect? You believe in fairy stories and a magic man in the sky. HAHAHAHA. All I was saying is you don;t need the Bible to figure out what is good and what is bad. The principles you mentioned are in the Bible yes – but they aren’t ONLY in the Bible. The brainwashing of young children in telling them that there is a fairy man in the sky is clearly very dangerous. More blood has been shed in the name of God than any other reason. My imaginary friend is better than yours is the entire cause of the worlds wars. No need to question my intellect – but I seriously question yours.

By: Truth

Truth — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:58:30 +0000

@ The Cross eyed bear- what riddles are you referring to? I asked a straight question that you have jumped through hoops and hurled insults in an effort to avoid answering. I don’t think I have ever seen such a shameless display of avoidance and diversion. You need not feel sorry for me though. At least I know why I believe what I believe. The same cannot be said for you given your inability to answer a simple question. As a side, you do realize that your “brainwash” argument goes both ways right? It’s no matter. I was actually interested in your position, assuming that there was an intellectual answer behind it somewhere. You have made it quite clear to me that if ever I am looking for intellect, pass by you.

By: The Cross Eyed Bear

The Cross Eyed Bear — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:04:56 +0000

Talk in riddles all you want – thats what the Bible does to you. You sure were brainwashed as a child. Feel very sorry for you.

By: Truth

Truth — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:40:02 +0000

If you are able to tell me what I believe, surely you can answer my question. Or…

By: Pain is the feling

Pain is the feling — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:20:56 +0000

R.I.P jay big up to a young bermudian who was actually on the right track- but yet still some one robbed us of this blessing!! here we have a family suffering now because there sons death was due to a mistaken identity! no connection with gangs never in any trouble clean slate and this is the payment jason gets for being a great man!! this is a totally random killing and i do not kno how that 5 foot 4 stocky build killer (devil) can go on living with the fact that he messed up big time and took the life of a brilliant person!! REST IN PEACE JASON SMITH<3 <3 bless up

By: The Cross Eyed Bear

The Cross Eyed Bear — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:37:00 +0000

It might not be an answer to you. But then you believe in a big fairy man in the sky.

By: Truth

Truth — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:55:07 +0000

With all due respect, you don’t know what I think. Neither have you answered the question above. “that’s the way it is” does not constitute an answer. I believe that neither of you answered it because you can’t. I would be happy to be proven wrong but I would be even happier if you just took a crack at answering it.

By: Tyrone

Tyrone — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:57:59 +0000

The police need to step up there investigations, interrogations or something..their never going to be around to stop the shooting unfortunately but you can’t tell me all these murders are going unsolved guys are flying away for years living the good life then come back home for trials years after the fact …smh ….personally I don’t think theirs anything any 1 can do church…government … Family whoever guys are spun in Bermy … I’m a bermudian living In the states and feel safer out here in any hood or borough then Bermuda … and 4 all off y’all not snitchin cause your favorite rap artist says not too all I can say is pathetic…

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:29:08 +0000

WELL SAID!!!

By: Rockfish#2

Rockfish#2 — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:11:18 +0000

Not a good idea.Posting photos of alleged gang members will make them targets for rival gangs! This will of course cause an increase in violence.

By: Can you handle this

Can you handle this — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:37:52 +0000

A fact is that yes often people are arrested within hours of a shooting..that’s easy and is expected..doesn’t impress me…when I hear that they have been charged and convicted ..than that’s where they get my votes….

By: Cedar Beams (Original)

Cedar Beams (Original) — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:18:00 +0000

Despite what you think, you do not need the Bible to decide what is good and bad. Sorry, but that’s the way it is.

By: sick-n-tired

sick-n-tired — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:12:47 +0000

I am willing to volunteer my time and efforts in stopping this crazyness.

By: Logic76

Logic76 — Tue, 03 May 2011 03:47:23 +0000

Firstly, it is not a crime to be a gang-member in Bermuda. Therefore posting their photos in the newspaper is an infringement of their rights. Until the legislation is changed that would not even be remotely possible. Secondly, many people know who the gang-members are, the problem is getting witnesses to talk.

By: Logic76

Logic76 — Tue, 03 May 2011 03:45:20 +0000

The Police Services uses many of those ideas. Ballistics tests are conducted whenever possible, hence the police being able to identify the caliber of bullet being fired in previous shootings. Those who were with him on the night will have already been questioned. This police service is not incapable, contrary to your belief. Two arrests were made within 72 hours of the previous murder to Jason Smith. The problem in Bermuda lies in the judiciary system, pinning the charges to the individual and finding witnesses to testify. Get your facts straight before you make such negative, false statements.

By: Logic76

Logic76 — Tue, 03 May 2011 03:37:37 +0000

We want more police stakeouts, more ferries, more busses, THESE THINGS COST MONEY THAT WE DON’T HAVE! Why don’t we have it? Partly because we’ve been financially incompetent as a country for years, partly because our MP’s are enjoying their $100k+ salaries while refusing pay cuts.

By: Logic76

Logic76 — Tue, 03 May 2011 03:33:13 +0000

And what happens when your house gets turned upside down and ransacked because you live in a “gang-territory”? Yes these are notorious areas but the residents are not all gang-members. As such they have rights!

By: Never mind me

Never mind me — Tue, 03 May 2011 03:25:10 +0000

Honestly…..i am just so sick and tired of these damn wanna be robo cops!!!! Why the hell they aint doing they damn JOB!!!! It’s too much now!!! They need to watch the show ..first 48!!!! That island is too small for these so called police not to be catching anyone!!! Come on now!!! My heart goes out to the families in mourning…xoxo I myself have had a family member lost due to gun violence ….i cant take it no more!!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!

By: Truth

Truth — Tue, 03 May 2011 01:45:05 +0000

You still there?

By: Rockfish#2

Rockfish#2 — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:39:42 +0000

Curfews have been used here before but were manned by a combination of police AND military, and were very effective then. However, they are unlikely to work in our current situation.

On a LIGHTER note, the excuses given for breaking the curfew ranged from hilarious to serious. I will not mention any names in order to protect the guilty.

By: Marty Doucette

Marty Doucette — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:20:31 +0000

My condolences goes out to you my sister, my best friend. You, Michael and family are in my prayers. To die in Christ is to gain Eternal Life. We will see Jason again. I love you all so much. I will be talking to you soon.
Your Sis and best Friend
Marty, Dallas, Texas

By: Sandy girl

Sandy girl — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:11:11 +0000

There you people g again blaming everyone but our own. Parents need to take responsibility for THEIR CHILDREN, don’t expect the Government or the police or anyone else to fix this problem. Parents you are the ones that have created these monsters, YOU NEED TO FIX IT.

By: United

United — Mon, 02 May 2011 21:30:20 +0000

Mam, I did not mean to offend anyone. And if I offended you, I apologize but we have to look at reality. Everyone has to live somewhere and some people have no choice in the matter of where they live. Now, look at the news stories it all seems to stem in that area. I know a lot of people have mentioned the fact that the island is small and anybody can get anywhere pretty fast. I also know that crime is not exclusive to one area but come on. If anyone sees something weird call it in anonymously. Don’t draw the curtains and do as in many big cities in the U.S. and say you don’t want to get involved. It is your neighborhood and your children’s neighborhood have these crime watch troops walking around with flashlights crooks and cockroaches hate light.

By: Truth

Truth — Mon, 02 May 2011 20:56:38 +0000

Where then, do you get the ideas that children having children is bad? or supporting and maintaining the family unit is a good thing. I guess what I am getting at is, on what standard are you basing what is good and what is bad? What informs your decisions / opinions ?

By: HUH?

HUH? — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:49:55 +0000

“Lets be real about this, somewhere in Bermuda the person or persons that shot this young man are home with their family.”
- don’t mean to generalize but more statistically likely that his family is his gang with dad in jail (if he knows who his dad is) and mom on drugs.

By: The Cross Eyed Bear

The Cross Eyed Bear — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:34:29 +0000

I meant Religion. The Bible is one religion – Christianity. They should all be banned. The Christian God is a fictional character. So are all the other Gods. All BS fed to simple people to get them under control. It ain’t working.

By: Truth

Truth — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:20:17 +0000

Interesting. You list 3 Biblical principles as your solution and then as your 4th you say “Ban Religion”. Are you making a distinction between “religion” and teh Bible? Just trying to understand your position.

By: I agree

I agree — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:09:53 +0000

I think you’ve provided the most clarity of all of the posts. The main issue here is that I think almost all of us want to get involved and take a stand but don’t feel that we have any leader willing to give us some direction on how we can help. I want to do my part but I don’t have police training or political clout or any information on these thugs to know where to begin. Seems like those that do seemed to be more focused on other things like making sure we’ve paid our vehicle license fees. All of this talk about the community needs to get more involved makes it sound like we’re condoning taking the law into our own hands when our tax dollars pay for other trained people to keep us safe – because let’s be honest – those that know something most likely condone what’s happening so feel no need to snitch.

By: The Cross Eyed Bear

The Cross Eyed Bear — Mon, 02 May 2011 18:44:16 +0000

Stop children having children. Improve education. Maintain the family unit. Ban religion.

By: T

Mon, 02 May 2011 18:05:27 +0000

Sorry this was posted in error.

Date to be advised.

By: mixitup

mixitup — Mon, 02 May 2011 18:02:55 +0000

To the Family of Jason, My Heart aches for you, I shead tears for your son I never knew personally. To the people who, if any, have been paid off to allow a Gun and Bulletts to Pass, you have Blood on your hands and will have to answer for your actions, To the Police, be relentless in your pursuit!, To the Govenor who is responsible for internal security WHERE ARE YOU?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! To us Bermudians lets come together in the thousands with a plan to rid this country of these scum bags, we need to think outside the box. These roaches need to be treated as such and eliminated!!

By: ALL WE NEED IN THIS LIFE OF SIN...

ALL WE NEED IN THIS LIFE OF SIN... — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:55:40 +0000

We need to stop blaming the government and police. Yes, it’s their jobs to find them but as a community, I’m pretty sure that there are people otu there that know. It’s sad that it seems that almost every two weeks now, the Island gets news of another senseless murder. When will mothers stop losing their sons, and children their fathers. Its heartbreaking that there are really so cold blooded killers out there. Once we come together and put an end to this, the way in which some struggle will be over. I just hope it comes sooner rather than later.

RIP Jason you’re gonna be missed.

By: ST.MONICA'S RD RESIDENCE

ST.MONICA'S RD RESIDENCE — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:50:36 +0000

It’s a shame that you haven’t actually been up in that area to really know that St. Monica’s Rd is not the trouble spot as you so boldly put it.I am not saying that the area doesn’t have it’s challenges, but be for real this is far bigger than just St. Monica’s RD. I come from that area and as a mother of 2 teenagers 1 away in colleage and the other one on the way, I really resent that comment, if you have been following the news you would know that most of the people that have been shot and with the same GUN have come from ST. MONICA’S RD. The problem in Bermuda today is that everyone is pointing the finger at everyone else instead of coming together as a people and giving up the actual culprits that are doing this. I agree with “sigh” the Goverment is taking this very serious but until the community on a whole gets together and starts naming these people and saying what they know there is only so much the Goverment and the Police can do, because trust me I have told my children any illegal activity that you choose to part take in I will gladly call the POLICE and have you taken into custody.

MOTHERS / FATHERS stop protecting your children when they are ruining the one place that you were never ashamed to call home and give them up ….. Money isn’t everything and if they are the ones making sure that you have a good lifestyle get up and go get a job and take and take care of yourself you are just as much to blame as they are because you condone what they are doing and are always the first one to say “NOT MY CHILD”. Stop it this generation is lost, this island is almost lost, and until “WE THE PEOPLE” stand united this will never stop.

By: LOL (original)

LOL (original) — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:45:06 +0000

And here is the call I was talking about. People are voluntarily restricting them selves. Let’s get this str8 shall we criminals do not care about the law that’s why they are criminals. How is restricting the innocent going to help the situation they will just come to your house like they do now. Come people the only way to combat this is for those who know something to talk to the police that is the only solution that is viable. Or do you think that we should invest in emotion inhibitors to stop the violence first we could give it to the ones convicted, then the ones at risk of becoming a criminal, and finally everyone just in case this is dumb sorry I think this was a movie called “Equilibrium”.

LOL not any more as we have suppressed that emotion

By: Its time to STAND UP

Its time to STAND UP — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:39:51 +0000

I am sitting here crying and I dont even know him. This is so tragic. He was obviously a decent person and did not deserve this. May his killer/s be brought to justice and rot in hell.

By: St. Davids

St. Davids — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:38:59 +0000

R.I.P Jay, I’m glad I had the pleasure of getting to know you while you still walked this earth. It won’t be the same not seeing you around anymore. I pray for your family. All your boy’s will never forget you.. You’re in a better place now mate, if you see Adam up there tell him I miss and love him…

Gone but never forgotten.

By: WTH

WTH — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:28:06 +0000

The people getting shot are from or have lived @ St.Monica’s rd and Glebe rd so how can they be the one’s shotting. Pay attention!!!!!!

By: Black Jesus

Black Jesus — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:13:45 +0000

You can’t keep blaming government. We all have a responsibility. Ask yourself, what are you doing to help solve the problem. Are you just whinning and complaining all day, everyday, doing nothing? Government can only do so much. It’s up to the community, which is all of us, to unite and tackle the problem head on.

Less talk – more action.

By: Black Jesus

Black Jesus — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:08:34 +0000

Good point ‘Can You Handle This.’

An island-wide curfew is a dumb idea. It would only work against the innocent people. How exactly are the police going to enforce a curfew when they can’t be everywhere at the sametime?

Secondly, what will happen if the police catch someone after hours? It’s not like they will get serious jail time for breaking a curfew. And what time do they expect the curfew to start; at midnight, 11pm, 10pm, 9pm?

An island-wide curfew is a ridiculous idea. It would also be very difficult to enforce.

By: Miss C

Miss C — Mon, 02 May 2011 16:59:19 +0000

You will be truely missed baby boy! mwah!

By: T

Mon, 02 May 2011 16:39:31 +0000

For all Families & Friends affected by gun voilence that are in need of prayer and support please come to Hamilton Princess this evening @ 6pm.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 02 May 2011 16:18:02 +0000

Yeah if she knows what places he said he went they could probably check security cameras at those places to see if he did have any minor incidents. I know it’s a stretch to believe but hey things happen and it doesn’t hurt to try, sadly I don’t think the police service thinks like that.

By: White Jesus

White Jesus — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:56:18 +0000

Dear Bermuda, this will stop only when a band of G-d Conscious citizens who fear nothing but G-d come together and wage holy war on these criminals. It is NOT the police’s full responsibility. The police force is an institution of CITIZENS! When it gets beyond their control we need to bring REINFORCEMENTS from the CITIZENRY! If people don’t understand what it means to be a citizen they’ll continue blaming the police.

By: harass them

harass them — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:53:43 +0000

This is what we need to do. The Police know who the gang members are. Take pictures of all the gang members and put them in the news paper so that the public can see who they all are. Once we know who they are than as a community we can all keep an eye on them. So when we see them out and about and if something happens we the public can say I saw this person in the area. I am not saying that because we see them out that something is going to happen, but what I am saying is that the Police need to harass them just like they are harassing the public. I hope you the public feel what I am saying.

My prayers go out to his family.

By: I'll post it again!

I'll post it again! — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:29:07 +0000

Where was your son last night?? says:
May 1, 2011 at 10:07 am

Lets be real about this, somewhere in Bermuda the person or persons that shot this young man are home with their family.

The parents are doing their regular Sunday routine. Dad’s looking at tv and mom is cooking breakfast for the family. Mom is also on the phone talking 3 way to her girlfriends about the 22 year old who got shot and how this beautiful island we call home is gone to the dogs.

WHAT EVERY DAD AND MOM AROUND BDA SHOULD BE DOING IS ASKING THEIR SON, WHERE THE F@%# WAS YOUR A%# WHEN THIS YOUNG MAN GOT SHOT????

By: LetsStand Up

LetsStand Up — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:27:34 +0000

Here is what his mother said:

His plan was to go to town, then to a friend’s to pick up a car and, later, to Ice Queen for some food. “That’s what they always did. It didn’t happen that way. He never got to Ice Queen.”

Well, where did he go in town? Who was there? Did he have any incidents i.e. talk to a girl that maybe one of the ‘thugs’ wanted ( I know silly but that’s the mentality we are dealing with), did anyone see people leave around the same time he did when he left where he was in town?

To Police, did you get shells/casings if so test them and find out if anyone else was shot at or murdered from the gun that was used in this senseless murder.

Then from that you will find which so called gang to target. Then DOOR to DOOR!!!!!!!!!!!! MILITARY style.

Some of these low lifes hide in different parishes until the dust settles so travel both ends, bug phones, computer whatever you have to before another young men with promise gets killed by one of these pitiful snakes.

By: @mavis

@mavis — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:21:12 +0000

I think there is a squad from one of the places listed that may have something to do with what is happening……

By: jason

jason — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:19:05 +0000

GET OUR YOUNG BLACK MEN EDUCATED AND WITH JOBS..LEGALIZE WEED AND WATCH THE ECONOMY BOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: mavis

mavis — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:10:55 +0000

We might to release a list of gang members and hire a squad from jamaica or St. Lucia to deal with these thugs who are shooting, we need baygon to rid these roaches

By: DoortoDoor

DoortoDoor — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:08:24 +0000

I have a 22 year old and I cannot sleep at night when he is not home. You just never know what will happen on this Island right now, so the anxiety is at an all time high if you have a son around this age.

I can recognize my son a mile away while he is riding his bike without seeing his face and I can tell you who is friends are from a distance while they are riding their bikes or just walking, as I know them, their characteristics etc. and I know all of these younger men know each other from somewhere as Bermuda is small so when they say mistaken idenity I want to know how?????? Is the trigger person Bermudian, that’s the question as they would not be familiar with who is who and is this trigger person being used to pull off this horrific murders? Because he is clearly making some mistakes. This time VERY Big!!!!!

In addition, I know that some of the people causing the havoc don’t need real reason to shoot, the hate, rage and nastiness they have inside of them will shoot you if the think you looked at them wrong or if they like your girl, they expect you to sit back while they make advances and if you say anything they threaten your life, like I said I have a son around this age who is not involved in this activity but who has been threaten by one of the ‘popular groups’ (need I say the name).

If you have something they want, they take it and you have no right to say anything to them, if you do your life is threatened. Our young men who want to do right are being bullied and they need us to help them.

We as parents need to help the Police and do whatever we can to help them put these low life animals away from society.

Now, I am not saying all of the people that have been shot at or killed are not involved in what has been labeled “gang” activity but some of them have been for other reasons which I feel maybe jealousy and and by an emotionally immature “sick” person at the control of a gun. When he finally matures if ever how will he feel looking back at what he has accomplished in life??????? NOTHING!!!!!