Waiting and watching...

December 10, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have been reading The Royal Gazette daily from the Internet the past number of years and reside in the Boston, Massachusetts area. I have held off making these statements in an attempt to be non-offensive and politically correct. My wife and I have been visiting Bermuda for the past 29 years and always on our anniversary date in November. I must tell you that I am very upset with what is taking place in Bermuda as far as street violence and gang activity are concerned. My wife and I did not feel comfortable in taking evening walks because of what is taking place in Bermuda. The Friday before we left they had two or three shootings. I can get that in Boston and feel that we certainly do not need that in my most beautiful Bermuda, that we both love and want to visit each year.

We have talked and decided not to come to Bermuda this coming year and will observe how you handle the problems in your crime wave over the next year. Gang violence will not go away unless you give your police the proper authority and equipment to do the job of cleaning up these small groups. They know who they are! I am not alone with this feeling as a number of my friends have indicated their concern in visiting this coming year. I do not want to upset any of my Bermuda friends that we visit but I must state the following:

I spent 42 years in law enforcement and retired as Deputy Inspector General in the Comm. of Massachusetts Criminal Unit. Please listen to what I say!

¦ You must take politics out and away from your police services. You have police officers in your community that have families and are very concerned as to what is taking place in Bermuda. I know this will offend some people but give your police officers and special units the authority to not only search suspected criminals but to be, and this is the most serious training for law enforcement, armed. Authorise the police to carry firearms, that should really bother some community members but the gang members are carrying weapons. Would you want your loved one not to be protected doing his job and protecting you. It is now coming up to 2010 and the world has changed.

Do more Police community relations. Not in police cars but in neighbourhoods, city streets, businesses and make it a programme to visit all people in Bermuda. Visit the schools and colleges which will be an asset to education and information for the Bermuda youth. The families of the gang members all know who they are along with the Police drug units, etc. Let the Police do their jobs and you must stop the recent outbreak of crime in Bermuda. I hope to see you all after my extended time away and want to return to my beautiful Bermuda. May God bless you all in Bermuda, my wife, my family and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Frank F. Burns, RET DEP IG

Boston, Massachusetts