Public Safety and Home Affairs Minister Senator David Burch said he "devastated" to learn of yesterday's two drive-by shootings.

Sen. Burch, who is off-Island attending a Caribbean summit on law enforcement, said an urgent "crackdown" was needed on Bermuda's streets, and that foreign officers would be drafted in as necessary to boost Police presence.

"I am shocked, disappointed and tremendously upset at this latest act of violence," said the Minister.

Speaking from Suriname, South America, where he is attending the 8th Meeting of the CARICOM Council of Ministers responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE), he said: "At CARICOM this afternoon we were discussing the smuggling and interdiction of weapons, and when word came on shootings in Bermuda, I was absolutely devastated."

The forum has brought together public safety ministers from Caribbean nations to discuss policing, crime prevention, immigration and other law enforcement matters.

Sen. Burch said in a statement last night: "I am in agreement with many of our citizens in the sense that we need a real crackdown even if that means importing help to patrol our streets.

"However, as an immediate focus, upon my return I have decided to convene a Peace Summit which would include representatives of all those in our country engaged in peace Government, private sector agencies, churches, community groups anybody interested in peace."

He told ZBM News last night: "We as a community and we as the authorities have not taken this seriously enough, I don't think."

Shadow Public Safety Minister Senator Michael Dunkley said: "This is a sad day. Bermuda has been rocked today by a tragedy and we want to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

"This latest burst of gang violence should not come as a surprise to anyone. Gangs and gang culture have been spreading unchecked into our communities for years.

"Every concerned citizen has been aware of the growth of gangs and knows that they will need to be confronted at some point.

"We believe we are at that point. The time has come to confront the issue of gangs, to move it to the top of the Island's agenda."

Sen. Dunkley said: "Gangs are real, they are growing and they have asserted themselves in communities across the Island. Unless they are confronted and checked, they will continue to grow, as will the violence they bring with them.

"What is at stake here is our way of life. Our economy depends on a stable, social environment. Our families need safe, nurturing neighbourhoods. Our children need to be protected so they can focus without distraction on their education. Gangs threaten all of these things.

"This is a major problem for Bermuda, a major challenge to our future. As a society we have to figure out how we are going to deal with it, as we would with any challenge to our way of life."