Government has identified a number of safe houses for people who want to get away from gangs.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Premier Ewart Brown said men or women were already in the houses, but would not specify how many.

Dr. Brown said: “We have the assistance of CARTEL, an organisation run by Pastor Leroy Bean, and they have been working hand in hand with us to identify young men and women that wish to find a safe place because many of the youngsters are afraid and need to seek refuge.”

The safe houses are a direct result of the escalation of gun violence that claimed the lives of three young men in two weeks — and four lives since May.

Dr. Brown said he was contacted over the weekend by a mother and a girlfriend of a gang member, who both said they wanted to get out of the dangerous lifestyle.

He said: “Over the weekend a mother of a young man involved with gang activity made direct contact with me and indicated that she had heard Minister Burch, the Commissioner, Governor and myself making comments about how important it was for those people that were closely connected with gang culture to come forward and essentially what she said is she was tired of it.

“She didn’t want anymore of the stress and the strain and death to be close to her and she was taking steps to make sure that her house was not a house that could be considered involved.

“Shortly after that I got an e-mail and had a phone conversation with a girlfriend who had been involved with a member of a gang and she indicated likewise that she wanted out of it.”

* Full story in tomorrow's Royal Gazette.