a Progressive Labour Party rally heard last night.

Dr. Ewart Brown, PLP candidate for Warwick West, said he felt a pent-up frustration among Bermudians.

And often the first response was to strike out at those nearest, before reaching out for help.

Dr. Brown, recently returning to Bermuda from crime-ridden Los Angeles -- which was wracked by riots last year -- warned of dangerous parallels between the two places.

"We are not that far behind,'' he said.

Government could not be held accountable for everybody's behaviour, he said.

But it should provide an "atmosphere'' of hope.

He also called for an education overhaul which would end teaching from a European perspective.

His comments came last night at a PLP community forum at Purvis Primary School, Warwick.

About 50 people braved the rain to hear speeches by Dr. Brown and fellow Warwick West PLP candidate Mr. George A. Scott.

Also speaking were Addiction Services co-ordinator Mr. Bryant Richards, and Acting Supt. Victor Richmond.

The message was for people to pull together to combat a common enemy: drugs, crime, and violence.

Acting Supt. Richmond said there had been 48 crimes reported in Warwick since the start of the year.

This was out of 289 for the central parishes, including Warwick, Paget, Devonshire, and Pembroke.

Although this was fewer than one a day in Warwick, there was no room for complacency, he warned.

He stressed the importance of people seeing the Police as the "servants'' of the community.

"We are here to help. If we can pull together we can keep the lid on crime.'' Mr. Richards continually emphasised the need for people to take charge of their own lives.

He warned against pointing fingers of blame at others, and throwing stones.

"How can we take charge of the community if we can't even take charge of our own lives?'' Mr. Richards underlined a feeling of helplessness among many of Bermuda's young, who saw no future for themselves.

One 20-year-old had told him of his indifference at spending a lifetime in Casemates.

That attitude spelled trouble for the community unless it acted.

Mr. Scott, president of the Single Parents' Association, stressed the importance of instilling in young people a "positive work ethic''.

It was also time to relieve the pressure on families, too many of which were breaking up, he said.

"The family unit has been called the cornerstone of civilisation. We must protect it.''