This is the full text of Premier Alex Scott’s televised broadcast on crime which he delivered last night.My fellow Bermudians, residents and friends of Bermuda:

I have spoken with you on a number of occasions in this manner since I was sworn in as the Premier of Bermuda on 29 July, 2003.

Today, however, I come before you as the Leader of a country ... our country ... which finds itself challenged with a grave concern for the law and good order ... of our island home.

We have accomplished much since last I addressed you in this manner. The Government has elevated Sustainable Development to the level of a national imperative and relevant to my address to you tonight is the fact that Sustainable Development is about ensuring that all of those things we cherish about Bermuda today will be available for the enjoyment of our children tomorrow. Also Sustainable Development is about ensuring that no one is left off the path of opportunity.

In The 2004 Speech from the Throne I projected the Social Agenda as an all-encompassing cross-ministry initiative designed to protect and sustain Bermuda’s growth and economy. Also I noted that the Social Agenda focuses on the needs of those members of our community who have not enjoyed the full benefit of Bermuda’s economic success.

Those of you who understand the principle of Sustainable Development will have recognised that the two initiatives the Social Agenda and Sustainable Development are intertwined and collectively will touch every facet of our society.

Sustainable Development is the overarching framework from which we will deliver on our Social Agenda initiatives.

The Government will continue to advance the Social Agenda to address in significant ways, the needs of our citizens.

Unfortunately the progress and good work achieved through the Social Agenda thus far is under threat from a direct challenge to the law and good order of our country.

Criminal acts and Anti Social Behaviour is being carried out by those in our society who would threaten the national security and the lives of their fellow Bermudians — young and old.

The threat I speak of must be confronted openly and decisively. This Premier has attended one funeral too many as a result of violent and lawless acts. I have seen the tears of the parents, heard the strains of hymns and spirituals, sung sweet and low over the tones of sorrowful young friends standing in mourning in the front pew, at the coffin and at the grave side.

No more, no more, I say can we permit the sowers of lawlessness to reap their bitter crop in this garden of plenty.

Like many of you, I am a father of a son. And for those of you like me too often now we hear the phrase “there, but for the Grace of God, go I”. This simply is not good enough.

These are our children! And we will never accept that, through insensitivity or inertia, a time will come when our children merely become nameless and faceless statistics<$>.

My fellow Bermudians, residents and friends of Bermuda:

This is our Bermuda. Our children. Our collective crisis and the enduring will and commitment of the Government and our community is going to make a difference<$>.

In addressing this dilemma, the Government will lead. We have already begun to do so.

Over a year ago we commissioned a preliminary study by Professor Roy Wright (formerly of the Bermuda College) into the “Plight of the Young Black Male in our Society.”

Today, that background data along with an ongoing review of the target group is providing us with the basis for diminishing the threat and the challenge that we are facing by, to quote Prime Minister Blair of the United Kingdom, when he was confronted with a similar need): “To deter bad behaviour and to invest in good behaviour.”

He goes on to say: “This is what makes the case for action against anti-social behaviour a progressive cause. Poverty and exclusion from the material norms of a prosperous society provide fertile ground for crime.”

In this situation and circumstance his thoughts mirror ours when he observes that, and I paraphrase: “Throughout government, we are seeking to change the conditions in which criminal activity often flourishes.”

This Government has no tolerance for criminal activity.

I say clearly and unequivocally, those who break the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Let me repeat this so that there will be no doubt. Those who break the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And on that we will never waver.

We recently concluded a wonderful and relatively incident free Cup Match weekend.

Our experience over the Cup Match weekend has shown that high profile policing makes this island a naturally law abiding place. The Minister and I along with The Governor and the Commissioner of Police have agreed that active policing of known trouble spots will continue throughout the weeks ahead.

We have a shared determination to keep Bermuda safe for Bermudians and visitors alike. I want to assure the public that the Bermuda Police Service can be relied upon to control our streets. They will arrest and detain those who break our laws. Lawlessness is not and must not become part of our culture.

The necessary steps are already being taken to ensure that the Police Service can recruit up to its full complement of officers. The Government will also put in place social services that will enable the Police Service and others to offer productive outlets for the energies of those who might be disposed towards anti-social behaviour.

I want to assure you that the security of this Island is of critical importance to the Government.

The National Security must be upheld and acts of lawlessness must not only be addressed but must be seen to be addressed.

I implore each and every member of this community to get involved. Speak up. Speak out.

Call the hot-tip lines. Communicate with law enforcement agencies. Some of you have important and critical information. Be a part of the solution. Do not protect those who are deliberately attempting to destabilise our community through acts of violence and destruction.

My fellow Bermudians, residents and friends of Bermuda, the infrastructure for success is there and you have helped to make it so. We are on the threshold of shaping our country for the foreseeable future. However without an educated, participating, vibrant young population, our future is grim.

All that we do will go for naught, if we do not align ourselves with the keepers of the flame, our children. They are the ones who will carry our work — our failure or, as I believe, our success, into the future.

One of the pillars of the Government’s Social Agenda speaks to a Civil and Law Abiding Country.

The violence must be stopped. We will hold those responsible accountable and we will secure our community.

At the same time, we will continue the work to prepare our country for this generation and for generations to come.

To ensure our success, we ask for your cooperation and support as we redouble our efforts to educate, encourage and engage, this present generation ... into whose hands we will place our future.

Young Mr. Lionel Cann, Captain of the St. George’s Cup Match team said it better than I ever could. I paraphrase his words, but in essence he said:

‘I say to young black men , look at me! I stand here with this Cup, I have come a long way because I decided to change. Get a job; take care of your families. Stop the violence!’ <$>

I conclude by asking each and every Bermudian and resident of Bermuda to remember how you felt recently on each occasion you heard that there had been a shooting in Bermuda or some act of apparent random and thoughtless violence in our community. Reflect on how you felt and then resolve to support the action that the Police Service and Government are taking to ensure the safety of everyone in our island community.

We must not and will not tolerate the loss of that which we hold dear — our beloved Bermuda.