Implementing a gang truce and an "underground railroad" network of safe houses for gang members are among the proposals from action group We Will Rise Above, Bermuda.

Among the other ideas are support groups for relatives of gang members, recruitment campaigns for community organisations and mentoring children through football teams.

The proposed "underground railroad" strategy says: "The team will identify and screen individuals who will open their homes as a 'safe haven' for people involved with gangs who require a safe place when they are in fear of their lives. The team will also develop and implement a mandatory intervention programme for all who enter the 'underground railroad'."

Outlining the planned gang truce, the group says a team will "identify key leaders and stakeholders and bring them together. The team will organise and host the truce".

We Will Rise Above, Bermuda was formed on December 6, the day after the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Kumi Harford on St. Monica's Road, Pembroke. Police said the murder appeared to be gang-related.

The group wants to make a stand against escalating gang violence through a month-long challenge embracing 30 direct actions under the umbrellas of community, youth, faith, gang intervention and mentoring.

It's urging supporters to turn out for a public meeting at Victor Scott Primary School tonight, December 14, to finalise the plans and recruit volunteers to make them happen.

Founding members Dwayne, Wayne and Travis Caines and Lou Matthews grew up in the neighbourhood affected by Mr. Harford's murder and other recent shootings such as that which claimed the life of Kenwandee Robinson in May.

Dwayne and Wayne Caines are well-known through their jobs as the heads of Bermuda Police media relations and the Digicel phone company respectively. Their brother Travis is a trained educator now working as a law researcher, while Dr. Matthews is an educator with extensive experience in Bermuda and the US.

Sharing the plans yesterday, Dwayne Caines said: "On the first night that We Will Rise Above, Bermuda met we had people from so many different backgrounds politically and culturally, and we had a lot of young people from the area.

"What we found was that, based on such a broad base of what Bermuda has to offer, we came up with critical ways that we can meet the needs of the community.

"These ideas represent the brain and heart-trust of people who believe Bermuda can be a better place."

Among the other ideas are a national day of support, with Mr. Caines explaining: "Everybody in the community who is against violence will wear something red and drive with their headlights on on that date, which will be announced later."

The group's spiritual aspect will be reflected in the creation of prayer boxes in each of Bermuda's nine parishes to solicit the prayers of the communities.

Members also joined an effort on Saturday spearheaded by Carlton Simmons of Youth on the Move. Around 15 participants walked from Victor Scott School to the Heard Chapel AME church where Mr. Harford's funeral was being held, and stood outside in a gesture of solidarity before heading to the wake to prepare and hand out food.

Explaining why she decided to support We Will Rise Above, Bermuda, one of Saturday's participants, Constance Richardson from Glebe Road, Pembroke, said: "We need to clean up the neighbourhood and we need to keep our families safe so I'm here to support whatever effort that's being held to bring the community together and to stop all this violence because it makes no sense."

Meanwhile Clinton Muhammad of the pressure group Bermudians Against Narcotics said: "We support this effort 100 percent. We need to act now. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones to gun violence and other violence in Bermuda. Now is the time for us to stand strong together."

• Tonight's Rise Above, Bermuda meeting will take place in the Victor Scott Primary School auditorium from 6 p.m. Further details of the group's work can be found on its Facebook page.