Please stop the violence

April 15, 2010

Dear Sir,

I have lived in Bermuda for my whole life, feeling safe and free. There would sometimes be random outbursts of violence, but it was nothing compared to the incidents that occur nowadays. It started out with shooting at night, in the dark and out of sight. Now people are being shot in broad daylight, with people there to witness it all. For example, the event that happened on Good Friday this year when a man was shot in front of his own two children in the afternoon. I found it ludicrous and appalling. Also, certain people are now shooting "for fun" as if it was a game of scrabble or marbles. For example, the 17-year-old girl and the 38-year-old man who got shot at the Dandy Town club on St. John's Road. This was probably the most preposterous incident that has occurred so far. Due to the recent commotion I am not allowed to attend the annual tourist attraction as well as a family and friends 'hang out' venue called the Ag Show. My parents fear that I will be the victim of a mistake, being hit in cross fire or being shot for 'fun'. I'm glad that metal detectors and extra security have been put into place, but that doesn't ensure the public's safety. The recent gun violence has negatively affected me, my family, and the lives of many others. So I pray that the madness will soon end. It has gone out of control and will hopefully be resolved in the near future. I now thank the police force and those citizens that have helped the matter regress as much as possible. Please stop the violence!

FOURTEEN AND FRUSTRATED

Devonshire