Fear of authority is preventing gang members from openly discussing their concerns at public forums.

"Back Bush" Ord Road Crew member David Durham said young men were afraid that Police would muzzle them.

And he called on forum leaders and Government to give young men the chance air their problems.

"Let the guys talk, let them come to the meetings without a police presence. I say to the Government, leave here tonight, get up, and do something, don't keep apologising. Go out to these guys, speak to them. How many of you have actually seen what a prison looks like on the inside?"

Meanwhile, PLP MP Michael Scott said Bermuda's social and economic system had to change to guarantee opportunities for young black Bermudian men.

Speaking at a public meeting at the Sandys Middle School to address the topic of gang violence, Mr Scott, MP for Sandys North, supported calls from the audience for a proper drug rehabilitation centre to help drug addicts. "The need for on-going drug care is massive. We need better resources for after care so that Bermudians can receive good rehabilitation," he said.

He said another contributing factor to youth violence was a sense of despair among young black men who felt they were separated from an economic system which allowed other people to live comfortable lifestyles.

"The system must change, we are working with a system at the moment which creates opportunity for non-Bermudians and denies opportunity to others," he said. "The PLP is working to regulate a system to regulate economic growth and to bring balance to commercial activity, at the same time allowing for progress to be made in education, housing, and training."

More than 200 residents discussed solutions to youth violence. Ordinary members of the public and some well-known political and business leaders discussed solutions what the Island could do to tackle the issue of youth violence.

In his legal practice, Mr Scott spoke about having to send several clients away for treatment. Mr Scott said the Island's business community and economic leaders must find ways to balance the economy so money is put into rehabilitation services. "We must find methods to encourage the corporate sector to put the profits towards rehab centres and to make provisions for the hospitality industry, for the sports clubs, and for housing," he said.

Under the theme of "Unity in the Community" concerned members of the public called on the church to support social programmes designed to combat drug addiction and keep young people off the street. In a meeting which was as emotional as the last, community activists blamed the church for doing little to tackle social ills.

Activist Helen Bartley Mateen called for churches to collectively establish a drug rehabilitation to support people who are released from prison and trying to combat a drug problem. "When you're out of prison where do you go for support?" she said.

Panellist Dwayne Santucci, who works closely with young people, said church leaders need to get out of their four walls and hit the streets. "There's 107 churches on this island ? if you can't reach everyone in this nation something is desperately wrong," he said. "We have a situation on this island where the black and white churches don't associate with one another. Why isn't this hall tonight filled with church folk?"

Milton Brangman, chairman of the National Training Board, also spoke about legislation which will be passed this summer to re-introduce technical training into the island's senior schools. Mr. Brangman said the NTB was set to launch an apprenticeship program to train Bermudians in technical careers and in careers in the hospitality field. He said 800 Bermudians lose jobs each year as the Government grants 900 work permits to people in technical, service, and mechanical jobs.

"We aim to cut work permits in half so Bermudians can earn technical jobs. Technical training is on its way back."