The PLP believes that a cornerstone of government is to provide a safe community for all Bermudians. We must recognise that enforcement is a large part of the solution, but not the entire solution. We must be able to identify and address the root causes of crime and ongoing gang activity that are rooted in poor education outcomes and income inequality.

REDUCING GANG VIOLENCE

Your next PLP Government will seek to eradicate the gang culture by building stronger families, schools and communities, while also strengthening both enforcement and legislation.

Your next PLP Government will:

• Appoint a Gang Violence Reduction Coordinator to have a singular focus on implementing programmes to reduce gang violence and anti-social behaviour. The coordinator will review the effectiveness of existing programmes, while ensuring that all social services are effective in dealing with the root causes of crime.
• Ensure that opportunities are available to young people who wish for a pathway out of gangs by providing financial support to social enterprises that provide employment opportunities and skills development to Bermudians seeking an exit from gangs.
• Offer parents, teachers and other community leaders tangible training and assistance that teaches them how to identify those at risk of becoming involved in gang activity, and the ability to help prevent young people from moving towards a life of crime.
• Provide financial support to Bermudians seeking a way out of gangs who wish to return to school for a GED or increased skills/training.

CRIME REDUCTION

Your next PLP Government will:

• Develop the first National Crime Reduction Plan that will be focused on prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration.
• Continue to forge strategic partnerships as part of our National Crime Reduction Plan to identify policies and programmes that are proven to reduce crime and increase public safety.
• Provide resources and expertise for the continuing implementation of Bermuda’s national DNA database to bring offenders to justice.

DRUG POLICY REFORM

Your next PLP Government will:

• Decriminalise cannabis possession for amounts under 7 grams to ensure that young people are not prevented from future opportunities due to non-violent drug possession.
• Allow licensed medical practitioners to prescribe their patients medicinal cannabis to address legitimate health issues and establish a regime for domestic medicinal cannabis production.
• Commission a review of Bermuda’s drug policy to examine ways to reduce drug abuse. The PLP will publish a Green Paper for consultation within the first year of our term in office to examine Bermuda’s options going forward.

COURT SERVICES AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION

Your next PLP Government will:

• Strengthen the legislation regarding the provision of child support to ensure that those who have a legal obligation are held accountable.
• Enact legislation to mandate inmates to contribute a portion of their earnings to the Victim Compensation Fund.
• Amend the law to permit the naming of sex offenders in regards to particular sexual offences.