Peace marches and calls for a ceasefire will do little to stop gun violence because the perpetrators don't care what anyone thinks, Bermuda Democratic Alliance MP Mark Pettingill said yesterday.

Mr. Pettingill said the onus is on the community to step forward with information about the cowards who are treating Bermuda as their "personal fiefdom".

He joined United Bermuda Party Leader Kim Swan in calling for Police to be given the cash they need to break the cycle of retaliation shootings which has seen three people killed in two weeks.

Both parties say Police need more officers on the streets, improved technology and better working conditions to lift morale.

Mr. Pettingill warned the world's media would soon start picking up on the mayhem — spelling potential disaster for international business and the struggling tourism industry.

"Three killings in 12 days is exceptionally disturbing and is an indication of how we as a community are peering into the abyss," he said in a statement.

"I shudder to think how Bermuda will be tarnished forever by the international media as a dangerous destination for tourists or for doing business if a tourist or exempted company executive is caught up in this madness and killed.

"We may as well close up shop if that happens. We live in very precarious times. This violence has potentially very major ramifications not just for the families of those killed by the maniacs, but for the very existence of Bermuda as a tourist destination and safe haven to do business.

On hopes of a ceasefire, he said: "The fact is that the gang members have no desire to consider this. The young men involved have no interest in solving the problem — they are the problem.

"They love the lifestyle and now have leadership, structure and loyalty as part of their make up. They are using these skills to terrorise the community and treat Bermuda as their personal fiefdom.

"They care not for the Police or the concerns of the community or the lives of others. The gunmen care nothing for the peace marches which are great to rally the community but sadly do very little to stop the violence as we have seen. We are in a crisis situation.

"The community must step up with any assistance it can give. People in the community know the shooters. The community must stand up to these cowards."

Mr. Swan said in a statement: "We have repeatedly called for increased financial resources for the Police — now is the time to provide the Police with the financial resources that they require.

"Ironically, the St. Monica's Mission Community has been living in its own state of emergency and now, due to the murder of Kumi Harford, we are seeing a spillover into other neighbourhoods. The spread of gang warfare is a clear and present danger for all Bermudians no matter where they live.

"We all must work together to make our country safe again. We cannot allow lawlessness to prevail. We must arrest this situation and bring order to our streets."

Meanwhile, Governor Sir Richard Gozney said the FBI anti-gang unit would arrive shortly, along with another US law enforcement agency. UK Police are preparing to travel to the Island if the gang situation escalates further.

Sir Richard said: "Like everyone in Bermuda, except perhaps the culprits themselves, I am deeply concerned that the shooters in the gangs seem to be taking little or no notice of the opinion of the rest of the Island.

"If they continue, and if they go so far as to undermine confidence in Bermuda, then everyone will suffer, including themselves and their young children."

Commenting on the second fatality in two days, the Governor said: "It is desperately sad that another life has been cut down and my thoughts go to his (Shane Minors') family.

"Ministers, the Police and I are keeping in close touch, day by day."