Turning a blind eye to danger signs always holds the potential for dire consequences. Around the world there are countless stories of tragic incidents that unfolded with apparent warning signs that were either unheeded or simply ignored.

How often have we heard after the fact, that someone was behaving in a strange manner but no one thought much about it until the individual snapped with tragic results? On the other hand, it is difficult to conclude that someone acting strange is an automatic threat to society.

However, as this world becomes a more dangerous place, sensitivity is heightened when it comes to trying to detect potential dangers in order to take steps to protect life and limb. Airport security checks are a clear example of how things have changed over the years, especially since the 9/11 tragedy.

The recent killing of a pastor in a church in the United States has prompted calls for churches to review security measures. That in itself is troubling, since the church is and should be a place where disturbed or distressed people can freely seek help with a caring hand.

Although that tragedy might have been an isolated incident, it by no means diminishes the dangerous climates that exist in so many parts of the world. The recent attempt to kill a test cricket team still has the sporting world in a state of shock. Just as it seemed things could not any worse, it did, with killing sprees in the State of Alabama in America and in Germany with at least 25 victims. Killings by lone gunmen are incomprehensible but show the dark side of a mind gone wrong. But all killings are not the work of a single person.

What is currently happening in the Mexico drug war is deeply troubling as well, because there are signs that ugly drug-related killings could easily explode in the United States if the tide is not turned against those pushing the deadly but lucrative trade of illegal drugs around the world. Many countries are growing increasingly nervous over how powerful and dangerous the drug cartels have become in recent years.

In a shocking CNN report on the situation in Mexico, one female who was under arrest on charges connected with illegal drug activity, said she was certain high officials were involved to a point where even some Police were part of the ongoing operation. This is not to imply that there is corruption in every jurisdiction, but with billions of dollars at stake the likelihood of paying people to look the other way is not out of the question.

Here in Bermuda, the tentacles of the illegal drug world have penetrated so much of our society that practically every family could point to someone suspected of possibly using the substance, or is benefiting from the lucrative market. An extremely unpleasant perception, but if there is to be any hope of recapturing the Bermuda we love, ignoring danger signs and they are there, could spell social disaster down the road.

If ever there is to a big conversation it really should be on this subject, because family after family, black and white, have been shaken and sometimes badly hurt by the impact of illegal drug activity. It could be the number one hush-hush subject because our small population is so closely entwined.

While we still have a beautiful country, many law-abiding citizens are going about their daily activities pondering the increase in gun activity by criminals, who show no fear in using them. This leaves some wondering whether one day we too might experience the unthinkable, especially if there are plenty of guns out there and in the wrong hands anything could happen.

Too many people are living in fear as stealing has meant turning homes into forts in order to feel safe. As the warmer weather approaches, leaving windows and doors open as we did in the old days is too risky.

Whether the police need to be fully armed or not is up for debate and would not be what most Bermudians would like to see. But one thing is certain, hardened criminals are not concerned about who is in front of their weapons when they use them. We should take a lesson from the Titanic. It was not what was on the surface, but what was unseen that caused the horrible tragedy.

We can argue day and night over who should do what to turn things around, and that in itself is healthy, but if we ignore obvious danger signs, a rude awakening could be our fate.