Vexed Bermoothes

Following the triple shooting on Friday night, the Police released some statistics:

• In 2009 17 people were shot, and there were 92 reported firearm incidents
• In 2010 to date, nine people have been shot, killing two, and there have been 38 reported firearm incidents

This means that last year we had a gun incident about every 4 days.  And so far this year, we are having a gun incident every two days.

That’s a lot worse than most people assume, particularly given the small size of this rock and the even smaller neighbourhoods that are being scarred by this violence.  It ties my stomach in knots.

Many people know who is up to no good in this little community.  It is one thing for shots to be fired in isolated side streets, but now the attacks are boldly taking place in public spaces with lots of witnesses.  It seems they do not care who they hit, and that represents a serious escalation in our problem.

Please, help the Police.  It’s time to start stopping this madness.

From time to time you hear folks saying “the violence will scare away the international business and tourists.”

We’re past that now:  the violence is starting to scare away Bermudians.