A former Crip and an ex-Blood are taking their anti-gang message to the streets of Bermuda.

Craig Winters-Dixon and Jeff Osborne will this week visit schools, prisons and community forums to give a personal testimony on the realities of living the gangster life.

Mr. Winters-Dixon, a 28-year-old former Crip, and Mr. Osborne, a 22-year-old ex-Blood, are also joined by 43-year-old Pepe Montenegro, of Mexican gang The Avenues.

The three men were invited to Bermuda by non-profit group CARTEL Challenging and Reclaiming the True Essence of Life.

Former arch-enemies, they are here to dispel the 'glamorous' image of gang culture and to stem the rise in anti-social behaviour.

CARTEL seeks to educate against, but also support, youngsters seduced by the gangster lifestyle.

Founder, Bermudian Pastor Leroy Bean explained: "Sometimes kids have a desire for money and certain things. We want to redirect them to what is right and how they can have an honest lifestyle and yet still have money.

"It is getting that individual to realise they do have something to contribute to society, it is redirecting them onto the right path."

Rev. Bean, of Transfiguration Ministries, founded CARTEL with Pastor Lynn Landy, of Agape Faith Kingdom Ministries, two years ago, after years of working with gang members.

CARTEL aims to bring home the realities of gangsterism through talks in schools, prisons and community forums. Its work in Bermuda has now attracted the interest of organisations from the epicentre of gang culture itself, Los Angeles.

"We're now looking to establish a CARTEL within LA and to liaise with them," said Rev. Bean.

This week however, the group has brought in Mr. Winters-Dixon, Mr. Osborne and Mr. Montenegro to speak about their violent experiences in LA at Bermuda's correctional facilities at Westgate, the Co-Ed and the Prison Farm.

The ex-Crip and ex-Blood will also speak to students at Sandys Secondary School, T N Tatem Middle School, Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy.

"Both men have changed their life and are now serving God, so that is the common denominator. Otherwise to have a Crip and a Blood together just wouldn't happen," said Rev. Bean.

"When you listen to their testimonies, it's a pretty rough life. We are basically giving students a reality-check, to get them to understand that it's not the glamorous lifestyle it's supposed to be.

"Often when people are going gang-banging, they either end up dead or in prison."

Rev. Bean said CARTEL wanted to unite the community to take action.

"We want to go into the school system on a regular basis to talk about anti-social behaviour, drug pushing and gang activity," he said.

"We also want to alert parents, to try to get young people out of this lifestyle. I do think the gang situation in Bermuda is getting worse and needs intervention."

He said children as young as eight were now showing an interest in joining gangs.

"A lot of the time, younger children are patterning (copying) the behaviour of their older siblings," said Rev. Bean.

"What we are trying to do is build up trust, to convince young people there is a better way. We are trying to get the message out to the community, to find a solution together to the problem. We need to deal with this face-on."

He added: "And if anyone finds themselves getting caught up in a gang, we are always available for anyone who wants to talk."

'Intervention, prevention and follow-up' is the theme of a community gang forum at Francis Patton Primary School, Hamilton Parish, tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 7 p.m.

For more information on gangs or to seek advice and support, contact CARTEL on 734 7972.