violence.

Both Government and the Opposition yesterday poured cold water on the idea which has been espoused by several public figures, including Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness and Progressive Labour Party Warwick East hopeful Dale Butler.

But yesterday both Mr. Edness and Shadow Public Safety Minister Alex Scott warned that Bermuda should tread carefully if and when it considered a curfew for young people.

"We started looking into the curfew issue,'' Mr. Edness told The Royal Gazette . "But it's a bit more complicated than at face value.

"Who is going to be responsible for carrying out the curfew? Who will pay the penalty if the curfew is broken? "While I would like to find the magic something to deal with this teenage violence and while it (a curfew) could possibly help the younger children, we need the community to come up with ways to help those young people. I don't think a curfew will do it by itself. And it's always good to have dialogue with young people.'' While pointing out that some 95 percent of the Island's young people were law abiding citizens, Mr. Edness said: "We often don't reach the young people we need to, the five percent. But we have to keep trying. We have to prevent these young people from engaging in this destructive activity.'' "We need to talk and I'm sure we will come up with a solution for this phenomenon that is not just plaguing us,'' he added. "It's in the US, UK, Australia. We need things that will prevent young people from engaging in this activity.

"I would not throw the curfew idea out the window. It has some merit, if we can find the right way to use it.

"But we have to consider the civil liberties if you have a parent pay the penalty for a child's activity. It may be a parent who is a good parent and trying to do right.'' MPs urge caution on curfews Noting that Government was reviewing other jurisdiction's legislation on making parents accountable, Mr. Edness said: "It's not like what we have here. It's tied to other specific things like school and not going to school.

"Parents must be involved in some of the repayment when there is property damage. But it does not deal with the kind of violence we're experiencing.'' Bermuda had to break down into categories the type of violent acts that were taking place here.

Mr. Edness said: "First there are gangs and fighting over turf.

"Secondly, there are the general things that are happening with drugs and alcohol around nightclubs, which are not necessarily gang related.

"Then you've got these young children running up and down the streets at night without any parental guidance.

"So it's not just one thing. We have to come up with some sort of deterrents community wise. I'm not sure that is a curfew or something that ends with parents put in jail.'' Both Mr. Edness and Mr. Scott admitted that the recent spats of youth-on-youth violence could easily bring serious ramifications for the Island.

"I'm sure every adult and every right-thinking young person is concerned over what is taking place,'' Mr. Edness said. "And in a small community it does not take long to affect every men, woman, and child that lives here.

"I will try to find solutions and I urge parents, churches, the media and everybody else who can come up with solutions to do so.'' Mr. Scott -- who stressed that a curfew should be a last resort -- noted that Police were already coming up with solutions for the problem. He said he was assured by Police that the recently-established Police task force responded swiftly and successfully to the violent acts which occurred last weekend.

And Mr. Scott pointed out that the task force had also been used as a preventive measure.

"A curfew at first blush is a good response,'' he said. "But you can invoke more trouble as Police try to enforce it. And Police will have to determine the offender's age.

"The suggestion is well intended, but the execution could be more problematic.'' Mr. Scott said Police should be given a chance to handle violent acts and then review whether or not such activity is escalating.

"I'm encouraged by the way Mr. Lemay is galvanising his resources,'' Mr.

Scott said referring to Acting Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay.

He pointed out that the Police REACH (Resistance Education and Community Help) programme in public primary schools was aimed at preventing younger children from getting into trouble and the task force was dealing with older children who broke the law.

"Initiatives that are being carried out should be given the opportunity to work,'' Mr. Scott stressed. "Then, they can be reviewed.'' However, Mr. Scott said he fully supported Shadow Social Services Minister Renee Webb's call for a youth summit.

"That can be sponsored by church groups, clubs and others who can give us an insight into young people and what they are thinking,'' he added.

"The summit should have a focus into what is to be accomplished and that should be acted on immediately.'' YOUTH YTH See Editorial, Page 4