Reducing the function of non traditional policing in Bermuda to better combat crime is one step Government would take if given control over the Police Service, Housing and Public Safety Minister David Burch said yesterday.

Minister Burch made the suggestion during a news conference , while updating the public on recent activities within his two Ministries.

Deciding who is investigated and for what are not Government's motives for wanting Police powers, Sen. Burch emphasised, while appearing frustrated at criticisms that Government isn't doing enough on crime.

Sen. Burch said: "The fact that people can suggest, 'you do have control over operational policing' belies the fact that some people rub their hands with some glee when they realised that we (Government) don't.

"Government having control over operational policing doesn't mean that I say to a Policeman, 'investigate this person but don't investigate somebody else' — that's not what I'm talking about.

"I'm talking about something that this Government has suggested, such as clawing back Policemen, who have strayed away into non traditional policing roles and get them to do what they've been trained to do."

Asked to give examples of non traditional policing tasks, he added: "An example is the security that's provided at Government House and at the Premier's house and everywhere else.

"If you look at any civilised country in the world, some not so civilised, that is a function that's carried out by the military and that is a function in this country that I think should be carried out by the military.

"This relinquishes a number of trained Policemen back into operational policing — that's what I'm talking about."

Sen. Burch referred to some recent unsolved shooting murders in Bermuda — the killing of Shaundae Jones in 2003, drive-by shooting victim Jason Lightbourne killed last year and the murder of footballer Shaki Crockwell, shot in the neck last month — saying it was crucial those with information come forward to the Police.

"As I understand it, the Police have a fairly good idea of who committed those crimes but they do not have the evidence to prosecute in a court of law," he said.

"And there are people that know and have witnessed them and have information that can provide the Police with that evidence. Until that happens, it doesn't matter who has responsibility for operational policing."

Those within the community that know about certain crimes but are too busy reaping the benefits of criminal activity carry some of the blame for these crimes, Sen. Burch suggested.

"A major problem is this commitment to silence," he said. "Some people are enjoying the fruits of the ill-gotten gains and are enjoying it and don't want to say anything to jeopardise that.

"Nobody wants to talk about it but you cannot live in a house and have people who do not work bringing a brand new TV for mama and you not trying to figure out or guess where it's coming from."

In addition, Sen. Burch offered his condolences to the family and friends of Ruth Dill, whose lifeless body was found on Tuesday, sparking a murder investigation.

"It is not natural for children to die before their parents and when this happens it is difficult for all involved," he expressed. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time."

On Wednesday, Police arrested a 35-year-old Devonshire man in connection with Ms Dill's murder, which is thought to be "domestic related".

The issue of trouble-stricken youth in our community also came to the surface during the conference, as the Minister reminded parents of troubled children that they must accept some responsibility too, instead of just blaming Police.

Sen. Burch stated that parents, relatives and guardians must be active participants in the process as well as being held accountable when things go wrong.

"The youths wreaking havoc in our communities," he said, "are not beamed down from Mars — they are of us and belong to us, so it must be up to us to find the solution. Do you know where your children are?

"It is not enough for adults to say, 'I can't do anything with that child' and then allow them to roam amuck. You have to do something with that child and there are more than enough agencies, Government and private, that can lend assistance."

The topic of foreign inmates in Bermuda's prisons is another matter that Government is focusing on," said Sen. Burch. Currently, the majority of foreign prisoners in Bermuda are Jamaican, numbering 29, Sen. Burch added.

Americans, Brits and South Africans also make up some of the prison populace and Sen. Burch is in the process of writing to the new Jamaican National Security Minister with the aim of repatriating those Jamaicans.

So far this year, five foreign inmates have been repatriated, with one additional, pending the completion of documents by the receiving country. Government is also "annoyed" at Government House for refusing its requests to repatriate foreign nationals that require urgent medical attention, which in turn, places additional costs on Bermudian taxpayers, Sen. Burch said.

"Attempts by this Ministry to secure the early release, on compassionate grounds, of two foreign nationals with significant health issues have been thwarted by Government House.

"In these cases, the Governor must first agree and then seek the concurrence of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee. I am quite annoyed that the wishes of the Government of Bermuda are again being thwarted by the supervising power in this regard.

"The costs associated with medical care for these two individuals are not something that we believe the Bermudian taxpayer should bear."