THERE seems to be a mistaken belief that better policing will solve our island's gang problem.

I don't think so.

Everyone claims to already know where gangs hang out. American gang expert Sgt. DeLacey Davis has spoken with them. So has United Bermuda Party Senator Gina Spence Farmer. Presumably the police also know exactly who and where they are. So why is it so difficult to monitor their behaviour? Is it because we really don't care ? at least not until a gunshot or a machete misses its target and strikes an innocent bystander?

Were it a simple matter of policing, I'd dare say that officers would have followed the advice publicly expressed by Sgt. Davis via pages of more than four months ago. The top cop from New Jersey was brought to the island in March as part of a $350,000 initiative to rid the island of its gang problem. In a talk he gave to teachers, students and community leaders, Sgt. Davis suggested that in order to reclaim gang territory for the community, officers should simply follow gang members around.

The idea is a simple one ? the presence of the law is an effective deterrent to crime.

According to Sgt. Davis, he successfully used that tactic to combat drug dealing on his New Jersey route, well aware of the huge supply of drug dealers ready to take over should another land in prison. "So I just followed them around," he said. "After a while they realised you are not leaving that area. It works."

The problem with implementing that here, is that at the moment, we don't have the manpower.

Government has pledged to have the Police Service brought up to its full establishment of 469 officers by the end of October. Even if the Police Department is successful in its aim to attract streetwise cops to the island ? officers who understand American gangs such as the Bloods and the Crips ? how much of a difference can they make?

As expressed by Sen. Spence Farmer: "If we are to have programmes that have an effect we can't just ship in people who know about the Crips. Bermuda is very unique and we are this year going to have the largest number of teenagers involved in gangs," she said.

"We should be talking to former Bermuda gang leaders and bring them into the schools because their message will mean more to our young people."

The sentiment was one expressed by gang members she had spoken with, the Senator said, explaining that those targeted by the New Jersey cop had said they were unable to relate to him.

According to Sen. Spence Farmer: "He understands the American gangs such as the Crips, but he doesn't understand what is going on here. He can't relate to the Bermuda gangs."

By now we should all know that the solution to the island's gang problem is prevention. That includes proper parenting, it includes education, it includes social programmes, it includes community involvement.

By the time a child becomes embroiled in gang culture, it's too late. At that point, they've signed on for violence, prison, and even murder. They've watched the movies, they've listened to the music, they know what comes with the territory.

For myriad reasons, not every parent is able to dedicate the amount of care required to raising a productive member of society. Many of the problems are obvious ones ? single-parent families, drug-addicted families, poor parenting skills, parents who have to work two, even three jobs to eke out a living, children with too much unsupervised time and parents who give their children money and housing, but little guidance.

Unfortunately, their end results are usually the same ? children who feel that they must fend for themselves, children who aren't encouraged to learn, children who aren't disciplined or given guidance, aren't likely to have the motivation to pull themselves together and achieve against all odds.

Unfortunately, their lack of education and skills will not stop them from yearning for the same affluence achieved by many in our society. Given a few years, many will be ready to take what we have all achieved, by any means necessary.