A discussion on the future of the youth on the Island got heated after an argument broke out amid claims Government was offering excuses and not solutions.

A panel was discussing the issue of youth violence at the Non-Violence rally, organised by Miss Teen Bermuda, Selita Crockwell.

After the event, on Saturday, she said: “It seems to us that we are just seeing excuses and don’t see Government trying. It doesn’t seem that they are trying to help us make a difference”.

The rally brought together a panel including Minister of Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler, Head of the West End Community Centre Gerald Fubler, Probation Officer Robert King, CedarBridge Principal Anthony Wade, United Bermuda Party chairman Shawn Crockwell and Clearwater Guidance Counsellor Anthony Peets.

There were also a group of youth on the panel, all-but-one of whom were female, to discuss the issue of youth violence.

Each panellist had their own idea for what the causes of violence are — including poverty and poor education system to the lack of positive role models and single-parent homes — and all agreed that violence had to stop.

Mr. Butler said it was up to each individual to be accountable for their own life and actions. He explained his own obstacles in life, such as growing up without a father, but stated that he made a personal choice to succeed.

“So your circumstances were no worse than what I had to go through, even better,” he added.

Mr. Butler admitted his Government had tried to improve the youth programmes that were offered on the Island, but “could not reach youth in their present capacity”.

He said that despite Government efforts, it could not find a location to house a community centre for the youth.

He said: “We searched high and low for a community centre but as you know land is a commodity in Bermuda.

“You can’t wait for your youth centre. You will still be waiting for your youth centre while others are moving on with their lives,” he added.

One young man who admits he had a troubled past, Steven Burchall, represented the youth on the panel and argued that a youth centre would have helped him out.

He said: “There were times when my mother was working two jobs. After school some days — from the time she left home to the time she came home at 10 p.m. — there was nothing for us to do. A youth centre would be a major contribution.

“How are you going to explain to me not to wait for a youth centre?,” asked Mr. Burchall, co-chairman at the West-End Community Centre.

Mr. Crockwell said he believed Bermuda has the finances and the expertise to make positive changes.

He said: “We live in one of the smallest places in the world with the highest GDP (gross domestic product). I think we have the capacity to solve every problem we have, but the will is not there. Until the problem gets so out of control — then we will want to take accountability.

“There should be a centre built, a quality centre built, in this country that are accessible for young people to go to — we have the resources to do this. If you can give $15m to soccer then you can give a few million to the community”.

Though the discussion became a little heated towards the latter half, the guest DJ, Sean Madhouse of the Refugee All Stars told the panel that argument was important.

He said: “You have to argue in life. In Bermuda you have too much going for you. With the mind and the intelligence that is here there shouldn’t be that kind of violence here.”

While the event didn’t reach as many youth as hoped, Miss Crockwell added: “We plan to continue, so hopefully next time there will be a better turn-out.”