When did our island change from Jekyll to Hyde?

A disturbing trend is emerging — one that cannot lead to anything positive if allowed to fester and grow.

This new trend involves guns — but not the gunplay and murders we unfortunately keep hearing about. It is the silent use of weapons in the pursuit of cold, hard cash — robberies at gunpoint.

I just thank God no one has been hurt yet.

Taxi drivers have borne the brunt of this type of violent crime. 

Over the years we have heard reports about acid being thrown in a driver’s face and female drivers being stripped of their day’s take — but now we have drivers being robbed at gunpoint. 

Recent reports indicate, to me at least, that some of these robberies were well thought out and planned.

Some occurred in broad daylight although most took place in the still of the night.

This newspaper reported two nighttime robberies over the Bermuda Day holiday weekend.

One involved a female who flagged a taxi driver down and was then quickly joined by two male accomplices, one of whom was brandishing a gun.

They ordered the cabbie to empty his pockets before taking off with the lot. All three suspects are believed to be as young as 17-25. The other holiday robbery involving a gun took place outside the home of a Devonshire man.

He was standing outside talking on his BlackBerry when three men walked up to him and demanded he hand over the phone… with gun persuasion, of course. 

Earlier this week footage was aired of a veteran taxi driver blasting current taxi industry issues.

He stated that perhaps it is time to consider security cameras for taxis instead of GPS because the lives of drivers are obviously on the line.

He’s right. Based on what we have seen in recent months, drivers are under siege. They have always had to deal with crime-related issues, such as passengers running off without paying their fare, but now there is the added threat of guns.

It is neither a job incentive nor does it bode well for would-be passengers. 

Drivers obviously have to protect themselves. Already you hear them talking about not driving at night and who is not getting picked up at night and why. I cannot say I blame them.

There will be a lot of people walking home at night, especially on weekends. 

Remember Rebecca Middleton’s ill-fated fatal ride home that night long ago?

It started out in St. George’s when she and her friend couldn’t get a taxi. Sadly, once again lives are on the line. The veteran taxi driver said one thing that keeps ringing clear —if ever there was a time for the taxi industry to stand as one, this is it. 

Sound familiar? We have been hearing it for umpteen years —we must decide whether to stand in the name of one or together as one in the name of country.

Crime is the number one concern in this country and continuing down this road won’t be good for any of us. 

It may not be on your doorstep today but if the trend continues, chances are it will be tomorrow.

What does the current spate of robberies mean for the taxi industry and public it serves?

I see more difficulties in getting a cab in the future.

It is someone’s husband, wife, significant other, father, mother, uncle or aunt out there making a living in that cab.

Is that living worth their life? I don’t think so. 

Drivers’ friends and families pray for their safety during a tour of duty driving alone late at night.

Government has a role to play but it is not Government robbing taxi drivers at gunpoint at night. 

Chances are it is someone related to at least one of us. 

Do my Bermudian people really realise just how much the island has changed?

This change did not happen overnight.

The Bermuda we live in today switches like Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde… and Mr. Hyde has a gun.

From where I sit, drug-related crime coupled with a rise in unemployment spells the makings of a nightmare in paradise.