Stronger family units are needed to reduce the level of gun violence on the Island — according to an online poll.

The Royal Gazette launched its own Facebook profile in late December in a bid to encourage citizen journalism.

One of the first topics mentioned was the need to reduce gun violence on the Island in the wake of the Boxing Day shootings. Aquil Richardson, 30, was murdered in Camp Hill, Southampton, on Boxing Day evening and Levar Smith, 25, was hot in the legs in the same incident.

Jakai Harford, 24, was shot in the shoulder in Camp Hill in the early hours of Christmas Day. No one has been charged in connection with the shootings so far.

Thirty-five people took part in a poll and 40 percent of them said that stronger family units would help reduce gun violence on the Island.

Twenty-nine percent, or 10 people, said stricter laws would reduce the gun violence.

And 17 percent of participants said they believed a strong Police service would deter people.

Only four people, or 11 percent of those who took part, said a witness protection programme would help reduce gun crimes.

Tom Panchaud — one of The Royal Gazette's 185 friends on the popular online community — said a combination of a stronger Police force and stricter gun legislation would help.

"People are not afraid of our Police or our legal system — it's all pretty much a joke," the 38-year-old Southampton man said. "The courts here are too lenient on criminals to actually deter anyone from committing a crime.

"My opinion, if you want to deter crime, arm the police and give them a fighting chance, reopen Casemates so the criminals have something to fear and don't coddle prisoners.

"By all means, have the courts crack down — mandatory sentences, a proper probation system and judges who actually judge, not joke, when passing sentences. Gun possession equals 20 years hard labour. Now there's a deterrent."

The Royal Gazette launched the Facebook profile in a bid to increase citizen journalism on the Island.

Deputy Editor Jeremy Deacon said: "I believe the mainstream media need to connect to citizen journalism — or network journalism as it is also called — by engaging people to generate ideas."