Bermuda has been shaken in recent years by rising gun violence, leaving scars not only on families directly affected, but on the entire community. Fear, grief and frustration have become far too common. Yet, in these difficult times, we must ask: how do we begin to heal? How do we reclaim our neighbourhoods and restore the values that once kept us safe, connected and accountable?

Ben Smith, the Shadow Minister of Education and Sport, recently wrote: “The whole world could use a code of conduct. But the real question isn’t what the rules are; it’s who will follow them and who will enforce them. Without sharing responsibility and accountability, even the best guidelines are just words on a page.”

His words ring especially true for Bermuda.

We once had an unspoken code of conduct. It wasn’t in laws or regulations, but it lived in the way we treated one another. Neighbours looked out for children. Respect for elders wasn’t optional; it was expected. Disagreements were settled with words, not weapons. That code held our community together, guiding us through challenges while reinforcing respect, accountability and responsibility.

Somewhere along the way, that code weakened. Individualism overshadowed community. Fear replaced trust. Silence replaced accountability. And now, violence has stolen too many lives and broken too many families.

This may be a question for another day, but how many Bermudas are there on this 21-square-mile island? For too long, we have lived in separate Bermudas divided by race, wealth and opportunity. In one Bermuda, doors open easily, networks extend opportunity and mistakes are forgiven. In another, opportunities are scarce, systems are unforgiving, and cycles of poverty and violence feel impossible to escape. Gun violence thrives where equity and equality are absent.

Yet, the code of conduct we desperately need does not begin when someone is old enough to carry responsibility; it begins at the earliest stages of life. From learning to say “please” and “thank you”, to sharing, respecting boundaries and listening, children absorb lessons that form the foundation of their character. A child who learns empathy early is less likely to dehumanise others later. A child taught accountability grows into an adult who respects community rules.

Bermuda is failing here.

Schools often prioritise academics while neglecting character development. Sports clubs build skill and competitiveness, but sometimes overlook discipline and teamwork. Even churches, once pillars of guidance, have at times lost their influence. When these institutions fail to reinforce consistent values, gaps emerge — and they are too often filled by anger, resentment and destructive influences. Teaching a code of conduct is not about restricting children; it is about preparing them to become contributors to the community, not destroyers of it.

Yes, the Government and police have roles, but this problem cannot be solved with policy statements or patrol cars alone. Where leadership has fallen short, communities must rise. We cannot wait for yet another committee to “study” what we already know: Bermuda is losing too many young people, and families are left to pick up the pieces.

The solution must come from a collective recommitment to a code of conduct within homes, schools, churches and neighbourhoods.

Rebuilding this code requires three things:

Personal responsibility

Take ownership of how we treat others and set examples for the next generation. Parents, mentors, teachers, and leaders must consistently model discipline and respect

Community accountability

Confront harmful behaviour, mentor young people and stand against violence in all its forms. Silence is complicity

Shared enforcement

Enforcement isn’t just punishment; it is the consistent reinforcement of values across society. Politicians, clergy, business leaders and neighbours must not just talk about solutions, but live them

Gun violence is not only a policing issue; it is a community issue, a values issue and a responsibility issue. Leadership is being tested. Those in power cannot be content to offer words of sympathy after tragedy. They must act boldly, invest in prevention and rehabilitation, and support grassroots efforts on the ground.

The time has come to return to a collective code of conduct, where words are lived daily. If Bermudians commit to this path, we can begin to break the cycle of violence and rebuild the foundation of respect and accountability that once defined our island.

The power to change is in our hands, but only if we are willing to claim it — together.

• Maurice Foley, a former senator, was the One Bermuda Alliance candidate for St David’s (Constituency 3) in the February 2025 General Election