Parliamentary committee to investigate increasing gang violence

The Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Violent Crime and Gun Violence in Bermuda was set up at the end of the last Parliamentary session.

Government backbencher Randy Horton is the chairman.

The Joint Select Committee will enlist the help of police and family groups to investigate the island’s growing gang culture.

It has not ruled out going into the communities most affected by the spate of shootings.

The committee will look at all aspects of Bermuda’s gun problem and report back to the House of Assembly in 2011 with its recommendations.

According to a press statement, the committee will “inquire into the rise of violent crime and gun violence in Bermuda, to inquire into the causes of violent crime and gun violence in Bermuda and to report on the findings and make recommendations to Parliament”.

Meetings will be held in the Senate Chamber on November 25, December 2, December 9 and December 16.

Those who wish to speak at the meetings should contact Carolyn Todd on 292-7408 or email [email protected].

The members of the Joint Select Committee are Mr. Horton, Ashfield DeVent, Lovitta Foggo, John Barritt, Michael Dunkley, Walton Brown and Shawn Crockwell.