against crime and drugs.

The Hon. Sir John Swan delivered the warning while unveiling Government's anti-crime arsenal -- which won cautious backing from the Opposition.

It included an immediate firearms amnesty, cash rewards for feeding Police with information on crime, and much tougher sentences.

Sir John also appealed for the public to bombard Cabinet with their own solutions to crime.

"The community must be prepared to fight for its preservation, its values, and its principles.'' The Progressive Labour Party signalled its support for the bulk of measures, describing the amnesty as "the correct step''.

But Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade was more hesitant over heftier sentences.

"We would ask to see the legislation and give it our careful attention bearing in mind the question of human rights and the rehabilitation of offenders.'' Mr. Wade conceded, however: "There may well be room for increases in penalties.'' Crime and drugs dominated debate when the House of Assembly reconvened after the summer recess.

They also came under the Corporation of Hamilton spotlight as shock waves over Sunday's Spinning Wheel Night Club double shooting continued to sweep through the Island.

Hamilton Mayor the Rt. Wor. William Boyle called for more Police in the City.

"The Corporation has been concerned about the lack of Police officers on the streets of Hamilton for several years,'' he said yesterday.

"We've held a number of meetings with senior Police officials -- the last one was just a few weeks ago -- and have repeatedly asked for more Police officers on the beat, but we have been advised that with their reduction in manpower and increasing demands placed on the Police Force, it is very difficult to put officers out on the beat.'' Mr. Boyle stressed Police officers were a rare sight all over the City -- not just Court Street.

"Following our latest meeting with senior Police officers in September we have seen a slight increase in the number of officers on the beat, and I am aware that the Police do their best with limited resources, to patrol the City.

"But as Mayor I fully support the call for more Police in Hamilton. I am presently in the process of writing to the Premier and to the Governor expressing the Corporation's concern about the situation, and requesting additional Police officers on the streets.'' Meanwhile, Acting Police Commissioner Mr. Alex Forbes yesterday confirmed the firearms amnesty was in force until 7 p.m. on November 30.

Illegal weapons and ammunition can be turned in between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

daily at Police stations in Hamilton, St. George's or Somerset.

"This amnesty will include all types of firearms including flare pistols, imitation firearms, flares, prohibited weapons such as flick knives, spiked wrist bands, and manrikigusaris, better known an nunchuckas,'' said Police spokeswoman Sgt. Roseanda Jones.

Crime dominates Parliament She added: "Persons handing in weapons need not give their name if they wish to remain anonymous.'' Government's anti-crime package -- revealed this week by The Royal Gazette -- included a review of The Firearms Act, 1973, leading to: Increasing the mandatory minimum sentence for possession from five to 10 years, where offences are tried on indictment; and Increasing from five to 10 years the sentence for importation and/or supply.

Sir John also announced a "general firearms amnesty'' would be put into immediate effect by the Acting Attorney General.

"That firearms amnesty, Mr. Speaker will be designed to allow members of the public to turn in any firearms, ammunition or other prohibited weapons during the period the amnesty is in effect.

"Persons turning in these items will not be subject to prosecution. It is hoped that the general firearms amnesty will help rid the community of these deadly weapons of death and destruction.

"Persons caught with illegal firearms after the amnesty ends will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.'' Sir John said Government also planned to offer cash rewards to people who fed Police information leading to the conviction of "an individual or individuals who are in possession of illegal weapons''.

"As far as illicit drugs are concerned, Mr. Speaker, the Government also proposes to provide compensation to those who provide information to the Police which leads to a criminal conviction for trafficking in drugs and to those who provide useful information to the Police leading to the seizure of illegal drugs.

"The details of the compensation to be given to those who meet the criteria will be announced shortly.

"It should be emphasised that the information supplied and the compensation given will be treated on a strictly confidential basis.

"Stamping out drugs and crime is the responsibility of the entire community.

"It's not just the responsibility of the Government and the Police. It's not just the responsibility of the Church.

"It's not just the responsibility of parents, or of sports organisations.

This is a responsibility which falls on the shoulders of every single member of the community.

"We cannot turn a blind eye to it, Mr. Speaker. We cannot be insensitive to it. We cannot ignore it.

"If we want to preserve the present and future generations of Bermudians...if we want to protect the economic prosperity of our Island home...if we want to provide a secure, stable and pleasant environment for the people of Bermuda, we must take action now.

"If Bermuda is to make improvements, families must take full responsibility for themselves and their children concerning abuse and the criminal activity it invariably breeds.'' He added: "Mr. Speaker, an old African proverb says that it takes a whole village to raise a child.

"If I may be permitted to extend the analogy, I would venture to say that, in the context of the effect crime and drugs are having on this society, it will take the entire community to break the back of this menace.'' Mr. Wade said the PLP threw its weight behind the anti-crime drive, while holding back on some aspects of it.

"We wish to give our full support to the Premier's call for an amnesty. We believe it's the correct step to take and ask the community to cooperate fully so we can rid ourselves of dangerous weapons.'' Mr. Wade said the PLP also backed using cash rewards to entice people to provide Police with important information about crime.

On proposed tougher sentencing, however, Mr. Wade was more cautious in his response.

It was important to examine the impact of such sentencing on the issue of human rights and rehabilitation of offenders.

Mr. Wade went on to urge Government to step up its war on drugs.

The army fighting the problem needed to be better equipped and fed, he said.

He added the PLP was dismayed, for instance, that counsellor Mrs. Gryneth Robinson had left Addiction Services.

Mr. Wade spoke of the problems highlighted by headmaster Mr. Dale Butler of schoolchildren trying to sell drugs.

Mr. Butler had complained of kids from another school offering his pupils crack-cocaine for $1 a bag.

"We must protect our schools and young people from this menace,'' said Mr.

Wade.

Shadow Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome took a swipe at those who failed to deal with the problem of guns frankly, preferring to downplay it and blame it on "rumours''.

It was important not to needlessly alarm the Country, but people should be told the truth.

"We have to give our community adequate warning.'' Mr. Bascome also questioned Government's announcement this week of a review into Addiction Services.

What had happened to the previous review, he asked.

He continued by reading extracts from a letter written to him by a prisoner at the Westgate Correctional Facility.

The man had spoken of the anger of young black Bermudians coming into prison, and maintained long sentences were no deterrent, said Mr. Bascome.

Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness stressed Government did not have a policy of incarcerating children.

But, he pointed out, society had to be protected sometimes from certain children.

Mr. Edness also hit back at allegations Westgate was like a "luxurious hotel''.

"It is not a nice place to stay,'' he stressed.

Government backbencher Mr. John Barritt gave "an example'' of the community effort that was needed to combat drugs.

He spoke of the man who turned in cocaine worth between $10 million and $50 million which washed up on the Devonshire shoreline.

Wrapping up the debate, Sir John said drugs and firearms were "the two menaces of our society''.

He said he had no problem with Mr. Wade's call for the PLP to be consulted, particularly regarding penalties.

Once youths involved in crime realised there was "a collective will and a collective effort, the message will be heard loud and clear,'' the Premier said.

If even half the number of guns reportedly in Bermuda were actually here, locals, business people, and visitors were all at risk, he said.

If the latter two were lost to crime, "we could not feed ourselves, we could not support ourselves.''