Bermuda is now no different from any major city around the world. The news headlines and recent shootings and murders could have happened in New York, Chicago, Washington, London, Paris or Rome (yes it happens on that side of the pond as well, lest our European residents forget where they came from). So what's the solution?

While I applaud the Caines brothers' efforts and anyone else who is talking about it; we need more than just talk. Once again, this is more dialogue. No offence but dialogue has been happening for years and each day, as we continue to talk about it, another person is shot; dead in some cases. This has to stop; but how? I will tell you how after the Top 20.

Climbing to #1 is Run This Town by Jay Z, Rihanna and Kanye West. Tumbling to #2 is I Know You Want Me by Pitbull. Up to #3 is Obsessed by Mariah Carey. Falling to #4 is Successful by Drake featuring L'il Wayne. Falling to #5 is Mary Mary with God in Me.

Up to #6 this week is Would've Been The One by Solange, a dance hit and a former essential selection. Improving to #7 is Wasted by Gucci Mane featuring Plies or OJ Da Juiceman. Slipping to #8 is Last Chance by Ginuwine.

Continuing its steady upward move to #9 is Whitney Houston's Million Dollar Bill, which is still atop international dance charts. Up to # 10 is Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas. Up to #11 is Under by Pleasure P.

Improving to #12 is SOS (Let the Music Play) by Jordin Sparks. Up to #13 is a previous essential new tune; Make Me by Janet Jackson. I was listening to this one on the radio earlier this week whilst driving in my car. I turned it up as loud as possible, because it is a banger. Falling to #14 is Breakup by Mario featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett.

Up to #15 its Bad Habits by Maxwell. Improving to #16 is Release Me by Agnes. Ego by Beyonce tumbles to #17.

Jumping to #18 is Empire State of Mind by Jay Z and Alicia Keys. Slipping to #19 is Celebration by Madonna. Tumbling to #20 is Throw it in the Bag by Fabolous featuring the Dream.

Now back to this week's word — how can we take back our streets, neighbourhoods, etc. Well, the solution isn't talking about it.We have thugs who don't respect talk. Every one of us has been a co-dependent over the past 20 years and the entire country has enabled the gang activity to escalate.

It is now time for hard core action; here me out. We must give the Police additional powers. Sure, the lawyers will complain, as will the thugs and druggies; but that's because such additional powers threaten the very existence and activities of these gangs, drug lords, etc.

Yes, parents and family members need to be encouraged to tell tales and report any family member engaged in criminal activity to the authorities. However, they are not doing it, so they must be persuaded or encouraged to report, prick, tell tales, etc. Since our people apparently don't have the integrity, honesty and character to report their thug relatives, we must "encourage" or "persuade" them to do so. The only way we can do this is by introducing a bill/law that levies a penalty, fine or imprisonment for any person who has knowledge of illegal activity but refuses to report it to the authorities. Yes, I'm serious. How else are we going to obtain this information? The current method of trust and hoping that persons provide information is not working.

So, here are just a few new initiatives to be introduced, which will significantly reduce crime, drugs and gang activity:

1. Make it illegal and punishable with up to one year's imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000 for withholding from or otherwise failing to provide information to the authorities on known criminal activity.

2. Police and authorities should be given permission and encouragement to seize bank accounts, money, cars, houses, travel privileges, passports, first born children of suspected criminals, murderers, drug dealers, rapists, etc. and cut off their ability to do anything, be it live, sleep, eat, travel.

3. Beef up the existing legislation that makes it illegal to harbour known criminals and allowing them to live in or share a residence. Such an offence should be punishable with up to 5 year's imprisonment and fines of up to $50,000.

4. Empower and encourage the Police to become more aggressive, hunting down druggies, criminals, seizing their areas of operations and shutting down their businesses.

5. Any person found with a gun, bladed, or other dangerous weapon should get life without parole or at least 20 to life as a minimum.

6. Parents of kids who leave school before they are 18 years of age should be fined up to $10,000 or spend three to six months incarcerated.

7. Parents of kids who misbehave in school, disrespect or disobey teachers and who are perennial problems should be fined and/or incarcerated.

8. Young black males should be told that they must get their lazy selves together and become productive, law abiding, hard working citizens of this country, who don't have a sense of entitlement or blame the white man for their failure to succeed.

That's just a few measures that if introduced, would, I'm certain, have the effect of significantly reducing crime, drug activity and other forms of aggressive and/or anti-social behaviour. I agree we should focus on the young men who can be salvaged before they get into this life of crime; but I also believe that we can correct, by intimidation, force, threat, legislation and enforcement of legislation, those persons who are currently wreaking havoc in this country. Peace be with you 'til we meet again ….