Weeks hopeful after large turnout at town hall meeting

Last night’s town hall on gun and gang violence was a powerful reminder of both the pain and the resolve within our community. I thank every resident who showed up, spoke out, and demanded action.

The room was filled wall to wall. Just three hours before, few could have imagined such a turnout—but the National Security Forum, led by Minister Michael Weeks alongside His Excellency the Governor Andrew Murdoch and the Commissioner of the Bermuda Police Service , drew a packed house.

For Minister Weeks, the sight was more than encouraging.

“Seeing a packed house was very heartening for me,” he said. “Because it shows me that people actually do want to be a part of the solution.”

The forum was designed to open the floor for community voices—allowing residents to speak directly to leadership, share concerns, and propose practical solutions to make Bermuda safer. The presence of all three leaders underscored the seriousness of the moment, with Weeks stressing the importance of ensuring that “the community has the opportunity to let their voices be heard and give viable solutions as to what they feel is needed for us to get our country back in order.”

When asked about future forums, Weeks confirmed his hope to bring the conversation to both ends of the island. “There are some people that don’t feel comfortable coming into the city,” he explained. “We want to give everybody the opportunity to let their voices be heard and to contribute to us making Bermuda safe.”

The suggestion of including the Commissioner of Prisons on the panel was also raised. While Weeks clarified that prisons no longer fall under his ministry, he did not dismiss the possibility of pursuing it.

As for the structure of the event, Weeks acknowledged that, as the first of its kind, the forum brought a mix of voices—some focused more on personal agendas. But he sees that as part of the learning curve.

“Actually, what I took from this is that it was our first one. It gives us the opportunity to go back and look at it and how we can make it better,” he said. “Structure—or more structure—is always a plus if we’re trying to get to the bottom of this issue that is discouraging and holding our island hostage. Going forward, yes, we will try to get more and more structure because ultimately I’m looking for solutions.”

• Strengthen policing capacity through increased recruitment, intelligence-led operations, and expanded use of technology.
• Invest in prevention by expanding youth outreach, mentorship, and support for families affected by violence.
• Increase transparency through regular reporting and community engagement.