The call for unity at a time of crisis has some appeal, Mr. Editor. It may even have merit, proving beneficial to the Police and the work which they have to undertake, as well as reassuring to the community, hearing Bermuda's leaders speak with one voice on the issue of law and order and on the need for action – and so much the better if we are able to speak from an agreed strategy and plan.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan made the call earlier this week. That's pretty well all he can do. The ability to actually make it happen rests with the Government. It will require initiative, commitment and a willingness to work with the Opposition, both official and other.

It would constitute a bold move, but one that doesn't appear likely to happen anytime soon, at least not if past practice is any indication. The concept of Government working with Opposition, PLP with UBP, in any meaningful, structured and sustained way has been anathema for many, many years here in Bermuda. Too many.

Let's start with the Bermuda Constitution Order of 1968. It established a Governor's Council, which consists of the Governor (as chairman) along with the Premier and up to three Cabinet Ministers. It is expected to meet on a fairly regular basis and to be the vehicle by which the Governor consults the Government in the exercise of his powers, which are exclusive, when it comes to the Police, defence and security, internal and external.

I expect that this was reasonably progressive in its day – not just the idea but the opportunity for consultation. But it also promoted and cemented the winner-take-all mentality that can permeate the Westminster system: no place at the table for the Opposition, regardless of the number of people they represent and their percentage of support.

I hate to tell you this but the Cayman Islands have found a better way, not only as an overseas territory like us but also one operating within the Westminster system. They have a National Security Council whose members are: Governor (chairman), Premier, two other Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Governor, Attorney General, Police Commissioner and – yes, you guessed it – the Opposition Leader. They also have two lay persons as members. Imagine that.

So it can be done – and it's painful to see that a rival jurisdiction has stolen a march on us in so many ways, freedom of information laws and transparency being other examples. For instance and by the way: did you know that the meetings of their Public Accounts Committee are open to press and public? How long before we catch on here and modernise, Mr. Editor? How long?

We need not wait until formal structures are put in place. It can be done informally. I seem to recall that the Governor recently lamented publicly that the Government had turned down his offer to meet more regularly on Police matters, although I don't recall that this was to include the Opposition.

There was also that half-hearted attempt in the House on the Hill, which never got off the ground. It came on the motion to adjourn after one of the first killings when one of the newer and younger members made the plea for Government and Opposition members to work together to find solutions, and he was joined in his call by senior members of the Government backbench, the Opposition Leader and a member of the Cabinet who called for the appointment of a select committee to get on with the job forthwith.

Sadly, it came to nought. No one brought forward a motion to make it happen – and here we are on recess until February when we return to deal with the 2010 Budget which should prove to be an interesting challenge for Government – and the country.

But that's not to say we still cannot proceed. A vehicle for information and cooperation can be established through cooperation and agreement. It ought to be done and done now. The future of the country is at stake.

The Police are our first and last line of defence. They require our undivided support and cooperation if they are to succeed. We may not always agree with the Government, but the Opposition should be able to advance its alternatives from an informed position. This requires access to Police briefings, along with the Government, on the options and the plans. We can share our thoughts and our ideas around the table as well – and not just through the news media.

We accept that a multi-pronged comprehensive approach is required. There will need to be short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies. But for now, it is short-term action that the people of Bermuda are looking for – and results.

It requires some immediate adjustments and a new set of priorities. Government expenditure must reflect this change forthwith. For example, money must be found for:

¦ More CCTV cameras and the necessary staff to man them. Every inch and every angle of known and potential hotspots should be covered.

¦ More mobile Police sub-stations.

¦ The new technology which the Commissioner says the Service needs to improve investigation, detection and communication, whether software, hardware or both.

¦ Stepped-up surveillance and inspection at all ports of entry along with the necessary and modern X-ray machinery that we have been told is on the way – and make it two machines, not one. It is simply not good enough for one in ten containers to be subject to search. Cruise ships too, have to come under closer scrutiny and private yachts. No one – and I mean no one – should be beyond search.

¦ The importation and deployment of additional elite officers, whether temporary and permanent.

We cannot afford to go into greater debt either. It's bad enough already, thank you. Instead think of all the overspends that should have been and should be curtailed. It would make a nice change too, if those so-called change orders we hear so much about were aimed at reducing rather than increasing budgeted expenditure. The same is true for the Love Festival, Music Festival and Ministerial travel, to name but a few. The extravagance has to end.

Such cuts, Mr. Editor, would not only be substantive but symbolic: plus they send the right message.

Your views? Write jbarrittibl.bm.

SOMETHING ELSE TO PONDER: "The process is not the problem. The problem is the problem." US Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus.