Residents are highly concerned about youth violence in the community according to the results of an independent survey. The Bermuda Omnibus survey found that 68 percent of residents report being very concerned about youth violence with the majority living in Sandys and Southampton. Black residents aged between 35 and 54 expressed the most concern. Conducted by Total Communication and Marketing and its Canadian affiliate, Corporate Research Associates, the survey found that one-quarter or 25 percent of residents said they were generally concerned about the issue. Sixpercent said they were unconcerned.

Factors which top the list of concerns that residents believe contribute to youth violence are a lack of parental control, unstable family environments, poor role models, and lack of discipline.

Social issues such as drug/alcohol abuse, lack of activities in general, harmful media exposure, and low self-esteem were highlighted as contributors to the problem.

Residents listed an increased role for schools, stronger laws and policing, and a variety of social outreach programmes as solutions.

The Bermuda Omnibus is an independent quarterly survey based on a sample of 400 residents. The survey was conducted between March 12 and 17, and has a margin or error of 4.9 percent in 19 out of 20 samples.