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Street Gang recognition
In 2005 this site was
contacted by a US Officer expressing his concern about the markings he had seen
whilst holidaying in Bermuda; Gang 'graffiti'. The officer, who has d produced a
substantial file on the gangs and their markings, took the time and trouble to
forward the information (presentation) to us.
We have offered the file to
the Island's Governor and the Bermuda police. To date, we have heard no
further from them. Is it that Bermuda just does not care or would they
rather brush such information under the carpet, ignore the problem in the hope
it goes away by itself or for fear of harming their tourist trade?
In October 2006, Bermuda's
Mid Ocean news reported on an article in the New York Post:
THIS summer’s outbreak of shootings and gang violence has garnered further
bad press for Bermuda – this time in the Travel pages of the tabloid New York
Post.Referring to the July slaying of 18-year-old Jason Lightbourne and a
series of earlier drive-by shootings, the US tabloid highlighted the growing
crime problem on the island.
In a page lead article headlined Straight outta Hamilton, the feature asked
readers: “Visiting Bermuda any time soon? Be extra careful about the clothes
you pack: Too much red might miff the Crips, too much blue and the Bloods will
be out for yours.
“Yep, the kind of Menace II High Society-like shenanigans you’d expect in
less, shall we say, secure climes, has finally come to the mid-Atlantic haven
for billionaires.”
The author went on to refer to the “gang-related murder” of Mr. Lightbourne,
saying it was not an isolated incident.
“Earlier gang-related nonsense includes a bar shoot ‘em up and a shocking
drive-by – an expensive ordeal considering Bermudans [sic] pay over $6/gallon
for gas,” the commentator quipped.
“Meanwhile, graffiti and tattoos affiliated with the Bloods and the Crips are
popping up all over the British island,” the article continued.
“What’s going on? Police blame drugs. Bermuda’s narcotics sales total $200
million a year – not a bad haul when only 65,000 potential users live there.
“The tourism industry, of course, is less than pleased, telling New York Post
Travel that the Government would definitely be taking measures to make sure
this craziness stops.”
The gunning down of Mr. Lightbourne made international headlines earlier in
the year, with many news agencies and national newspapers giving over coverage
to the rise in violence.
Tourism Minister Ewart Brown was later quoted as saying that such headlines
did not promote the sort of image that Bermuda was trying to sell.
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