Public Safety Minister David Burch's idea of a peace summit has been backed by community and church groups — but the Opposition is wondering why Government is taking so long to carry out action.

Senator Burch initially promised a summit involving Government, the private sector and other leaders from across the Island after two drive-by shootings in May.

The United Bermuda Party says that proposal went the same way as other unfulfilled suggestions such as a SWAT team — but Sen. Burch announced on Hott radio on Sunday night that the idea was still under consideration.

Yesterday, grassroots activists the Emperial Group said it had been holding meetings with Government about the need for unity in the community and welcomed the chance for more interaction.

Group member Gladwin Simmons said: "Bermuda Government has had no lack of resources in terms of money and energy to throw at things, but the problem gets worse.

"We have a lot to bring to the table. We have been quietly doing it, but now we feel it's time for us to come much more public with respect to our views. We have had talks with the Ministry and we are looking to take this further."

Yesterday, this newspaper reported how the Emperial Group — which brought Louis Farrakhan to the Island this summer — is hoping to bring neighbourhoods together by relaunching the CultureFest event which was popular in the 1990s.

Bermuda Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church president Jeffrey Brown said he supports a peace summit, saying: "It's the only way: to fight on all fronts. I think the community in general and the church in particular should play its part.

"We have to all agree that violence anywhere affects safety everywhere, so we can't say it's been such and such a corner, it's not in my back yard."

Dr. Brown said the church needs to remember that everyone is his brother's keeper, and he encouraged churches to reach out to the people in their communities wherever they can. Some churches have done that already by holding services outside in the parking lot, he said.

Six months ago, Sen. Burch said in a statement: "I have decided to convene a peace summit which would include representatives of all those in our country engaged in peace — Government, private sector agencies, churches, community groups — anybody interested in peace."

Of that initiative, Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley, the UBP's spokesman on public safety, said: "It never took place and we have echoed this call on occasion since the Minister first made it. It is a wise and good move and we are willing to support this initiative in any way that we can.

"It is very frustrating that we hear a lot of talk from politicians and if you follow up on what they said it often never amounts to more than words."

Sen. Dunkley added that he supported another long-held pledge to increase Police patrols on the streets.

Bermuda Democratic Alliance MP Mark Pettingill said of a peace summit: "Anything tried, any effort made or road taken in the name of peace we must and will support."

Independent MP Wayne Furbert said a get-together involving community leaders may help — and that rival gangs also needed to be brought together to settle their differences.

"What appears to have been happening is retaliation between different groups. If we are able to get the parties together, at least those considered the leaders of the groups, it may help."

Mr. Furbert said other methods of controlling the violence could be increasing local patrols and inspecting every container that arrives on the Island for weapons or drugs.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney said: "Like most people in Bermuda I would support an initiative which brought people together to bridge gaps. Criminals, especially drug gangs, can exploit those gaps.

"The Bermuda Police Service would need to play their part but not necessarily the lead part, given the overriding importance of communities' natural leaders, whether MPs, church leaders, or the leaders of agencies, sports clubs or community groups."

Sen. Burch's press officer did not reply to a request for a comment or more information on the Minister's proposal.