Premier: parents cannot be shielded from accountability
Parents must not escape the accountability of steering their children away from violent crime, and a legislative review will make sure that their responsibility is reflected, the Premier said today.
David Burt outlined details of a Governor’s Council meeting this month in light of the “horrific” shooting that resulted in the deaths of two men and the injury of another.
The Royal Gazette first reported that the Premier would call for the meeting, which took place on September 2.
Bermuda’s statute books contain a 2010 law entitled the Parental Responsibility Act, which states that provisions must be made to prevent youth crime and disorder, and “to make provision to hold parents liable for the wilful misconduct of their children in relation to the property of others”.
Mr Burt said in the House of Assembly today: “Recognising that 15 years have passed since this Act was brought into operation, I have asked that it be reviewed to ensure that it continues to provide the legal framework required for these times and that our helping agencies have the capacity to fulfil the duties imposed upon them by the Act.
“This Government does not believe in an unduly punitive society, but we do believe in responsibility for who we bring into the world and who we have been blessed to form into people who can contribute to making our island a better place.”
Mr Burt highlighted that parental responsibility is not devolved to schools, principals and teachers.
“We, as parents, owe our children a non-stop focus on their welfare and development of their moral character,” he said.
“We are responsible for the people they become and it is us, as parents, who cannot be shielded from accountability when we fail to do our part.”
Section 70 of the Constitution makes provision for the Governor’s Council, indicating that its function is to consider “matters for which the Governor is responsible”. Mr Burt said that in this case, the matter was “internal security”.
Attendees of the council included Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, and Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors.
The council was briefed by Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, on operational matters, while Cindy Clarke, the Director of Public Prosecutions, spoke about the challenge of bringing offenders to justice and legislative changes that might help.
Mr Burt said their attendance at the meeting set out to demonstrate “the broad approach required to address the issues presented by community violence”.
“Legislative change, enforcement, understanding the impact on young people and how this cycle affects the critical educational path on which our young people should be engaged — all of these things form the foundation of the Government’s strong leadership in addressing community violence,” he said.
Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, provided an update to MPs on work being done as part of the National Violence Reduction Strategy.
He noted that $25,000 was allocated from his ministry to Crime Stoppers Bermuda to enhance anonymous reporting.
Mr Weeks said an agreement was reached with the charity whereby the Government pledged to provide funding of up to $50,000 for information that leads to an arrest and charge for serious violent crime.
“This investment reflects our commitment to encouraging public participation and empowering residents to share information that helps keep our communities safer,” the minister added.
He said that the ministry invested $397,434 in sports organisations across the island and that, in the coming year, it will offer restorative justice training to sports club coaches, staff and stakeholders.
The ministry also provided $135,000 to community organisations that deliver wraparound support and trauma-informed care, counselling and support for families in crisis including Family Centre and Transitional Community Services.
Mr Weeks said the Gang Violence Reduction Team had worked closely with 60 public high school students and engaged other school levels in the I Am programme, providing alternatives for those excluded from traditional schooling, while $60,000 went towards youth mentorship and leadership programmes.
The Adult Education School and Care Learning Centre received more than $84,000 to provide GED preparation, digital literacy and re-engagement programmes for selected students, and that 15 individuals who engaged in the 20-week redemption programme have remained free from offending.
Mr Weeks added: “The Gang Violence Reduction Team also carried out prison visits to prepare individuals for release, with ‘through-the-gate’ care packages under development to smooth the transition.”
An evidence-based violence prevention workshop for people working with children is being formulated in partnership with the Bermuda Police Service.
Meanwhile, a national audit of mental health and substance abuse services is to be completed, identifying gaps in service and barriers to access.
Mr Burt pledged that efforts to address violence in the community would not be hampered by “any perceived resource challenges or bureaucratic procurement processes” amid calls from the community for strong enforcement, sound intelligence-gathering technology and upgraded laws that reflect the gravity of the offences committed.
“The Government is a partner to both law enforcement and helping agencies who are engaged in this critical endeavour,” the Premier said.
“We are determined to facilitate funding, recruitment, procurement and programme delivery as demanded by the people we serve.
“Let there be no doubt regarding our commitment to supporting every aspect of the implementation strategy.”
Mr Burt said there would be another Governor’s Council on Tuesday.
He added: “We will receive updates from the uniformed services, and also ensure that all are engaged in the violence prevention and intervention programmes that are in place through the National Violence Reduction Strategy.
“Our commitment to reversing these trends is as strong as that on enforcement and accountability which I have outlined today.”
The Premier concluded: “This Government continues to bring the strong leadership required to address community violence.
“I reflect on the excitement seen on the faces of hundreds of children who started school on Tuesday.
“I saw in them the best of what Bermuda can become. Their innocence spoke volumes and provided the inspiration we need to press on with this fight.
“We owe them their future and it is this Government’s firm commitment to deliver on that promise.”
• To see the ministerial statements in full, see Related Media
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