Like the former US Marine Corps. colonel he is, Bill Cook gives the Bermuda Football Association a hearty salute for their steps in curbing fan violence.

But Bermuda's outgoing Director of Parks and resident security expert told the Ministry of Youth and Sports's annual conference on Saturday that still more could be done as Island soccer deals with a rash of gang violence and referee attacks.

While "really impressed'' with the BFA's get-tough measures announced last month, Cook urged the association and its members to take a more pro-active role in everything from altering the ticket collection system at sporting events to the use of metal detectors.

BFA president Neville Tyrrell recently outlined a series of steps, including a beefed-up Police presence at matches, the use of club officials as roving watchdogs, video monitoring and the banning of known thugs.

With the exception of Police presence -- "A sensitive issue,'' he acknowledges -- the former head of security for New York City when the 1987 Mets clinched the National League pennant at Shea Stadium gave the BFA high marks.

Of videotaping matches, Cook said: "We're in a different world today and we're going to need it ... God bless the video camera; it's worked wonders for me.'' Banning hooligans is also an excellent idea -- but only, Cook said, if greeters at the gate know the individuals. Otherwise, he suggested distributing photographs of the troublemakers.

Officials from host clubs have begun circulating through the stands, keeping an eye out for potential problems. Great idea but why, Cook asked, do they not escort match referees and linesman off the field both at half-and full-time? In many venues, match officials are subjected to verbal abuse as they make their way through crowds, or even club dressing rooms, by themselves.

The presence of officials likely would have prevented the attack with an umbrella by a Wolves fan on referee Irven Simmons and linesman Gregory Smith after a Second Division match two weeks ago. "They have to be protected,'' said Cook, a former NCAA basketball referee and veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

And not necessarily by Police. Cook prefers the speak softly and carry a big stick approach, with Police nearby, outside and with easy access in case of emergency. Inside, the use of club officials and Park Rangers -- ideally young, big, neat, and carrying walkie-talkies -- make for better relations with a crowd of the same age.

Added Parks Officer Craig Burt: "They've been very instrumental in defusing certain situations that have arisen in the past.'' Controlling the entrance at matches also came in for Cook's scrutiny. He suggested two gates, one single file in which fans must produce a ticket or cash and another further along at which tickets are collected or purchased.

It's here that Cook called for the use of metal detectors.

"They're the wave of the future,'' he said. "And they're not very expensive anymore.'' The double-gate system allows officials to keep an eye on rowdies and alcohol-smugglers while keeping gate-crashers out.

And what of the consumption of alcohol at sporting events? "You have to accept alcohol as part of (sports),'' he said. "But you have to control it.'' This means not only keeping fans from bringing it in, but serving it in plastic containers -- as the BFA have been doing -- and even jacking up the price in order to slow down the rate of consumption.

The use of marijuana by spectators is another ongoing concern. "The cross-section is there,'' Cook said with a shrug, meaning during any soccer match there could be as many 100 fans smoking.

The best advice is not bring in the Police. "Tell them to get out (first),'' Cook said. If that fails, then bring in the Police.