Noisy concerts and the need for grass roots organisations and better parenting skills were high on the agenda for more than 40 West End residents who met to discuss area crime and violence.

And after one and a half hours of speeches and discussion at the Warwick Secondary Auditorium last night, those gathered -- some of whom had brought their children -- resolved to start an action group with the help of their four parish constables.

Chief Insp. Larry Smith, the officer in charge of the Western division, Monique Smith, a member of the St. George's Action Group and McNeil Warner, chairman of Crime Stoppers, all spoke to the gathering.

Drawing heavily on biblical themes in his presentation, Chief Insp. Smith told the audience that the Police Service accepted its responsibility to protect the law-abiding residents of Bermuda.

But he said that each person needed to "go out and take back their own street''.

"Because we are not accepting our responsibility may be one reason why we have got so much anti-social behaviour out there,'' he said. "...I am committed to Warwick Parish. I am committed with my officers to making this Country become better.'' Warwick action group formed But he said each resident of Warwick Parish must be prepared to be as concerned about what happens next door as they are about their own families.

Meanwhile, Ms Smith said that initial neighbourly concern may lead people to come together into a community group.

But this basic emotive desire had to be directed to ensure a level of success.

This meant that the group needed a common vision and must also be ethnically and economically diverse.

Members, she warned, must also be prepared to leave political party affiliation aside and embark on information gathering exercises that will give them a better understanding of their own problems.

One danger, she noted, is for community groups to neglect the planning process or to fail to set goals and work toward objectives.

And Mr. Warner encouraged those in attendance to use the Crime Stoppers hot line because it was a tangible way of making their personal commitment to the fight against drugs and crime.

During the 12-minute question and answer period, one man asked about whether Warwick Secondary School could be included on a list of outdoor facilities that were subject to the new one-concert-per-year rule.

Police Commissioner Colin Coxall said he chaired a group that brought together the concert promoters with members of the Ministry of Youth and Sport.

Consequently, 16 sites on the Island will now only host one concert per year and it must be over by 1 a.m.

Another resident asked how parents could improve their skills. And she was told that organisations such as the Department of Social Services and the Island's schools have suitably qualified professionals who can help.

But it was agreed that those parents most likely to search out and use those services are not the most in need because the true problem parents never availed themselves of such opportunities.