Bermuda Sun Opinion piece

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6/27/2012 11:52:00 AM
Lawrence Scott
Guest columnist

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27: A young boy sat on the floor playing with his Legos, while a small group of individuals got together and brainstormed about what they could do to build on an already established school of thought and how they as a group could improve the quality of life, not just for themselves, but for all disenfranchised Bermudians.

That same young boy lay on the floor colouring with his Crayola box set as they came up with ways and means to provide the tools for those disenfranchised people to use in order to become successful.

That young boy sat silently in the background, playing Duck Hunt on his Nintendo and observed as they implemented their carefully, strategically thought-out plan.

The adolescent boy sat in the passenger seat of his father’s car, overhearing conversations on what was known as a ‘car phone’ while they tasted bitter defeat, and that same young man could be seen capturing the moment through text messaging on his Nokia 5110 when, together, the old and young shared in the sweet taste of victory.

This group of people achieved their goal of helping those who were disenfranchised. Those previously disenfranchised people went on to become successful, positively contributing members of society.

However, that’s not the end of this ‘feel good’ story. The group I was referring to was that of Dame Lois Browne-Evans, L Frederick Wade, W Alexander Scott, and David Allen.

The young boy is Lawrence Scott. I was there through those times, and I was able to see first hand that a small group can make a big difference.

However, I believe one must remain realistic. As a youthful member of this society, I have a healthy respect for the past, but I am a realist who understands that the dynamics of our time have changed. The demographic of those who feel disenfranchised is a lot more diverse. There is no longer a single “thread” which one can use to group people together having similar issues, wants, and needs.

Even though some would have you think that there are now multiple Bermudas and that we are divided, my youthful perspective allows me to believe that we are more dependent on one another as people and individuals than ever before.

My service within this community via the Red Cross as a child, via St John’s Ambulance during my early 20s, and currently as a host of a youth mentorship programme at the Bermuda Youth Library, affirms my belief in only one Bermuda made up with groups of people who share common issues.

Today’s youth play a more vital role in Bermuda’s future than ever before. For example, the way we communicate, socialize, and even the way we do business is not only geared toward the younger members of our society but has been invented by this younger group.

Solutions

Communication is the backbone of any society. It is only through effective communication that we are able to have our concerns and issues heard and find resolution. So, I ask, ‘Who better to have as part of the solution-finding process than our younger members of society?’

This brings us back to the story. After realizing that I not only benefitted from those who have gone before me, and that I am living their dream in a society in which being successful is a possibility not for some but for all, I knew that it was my turn to take the proverbial baton and run with it. But where do I start?

The answer is easy: at the beginning — at the place and area where the foundation for who I am today was ‘poured’: Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church and Constituency 24.

Constituency 24 was and is a part of my childhood and life. As a child my two best friends lived along Cherry Lane and Tribe Road No 1 (Billy Goat Hill), I have family living in Forest Hills and I used my pedal bike and the Railway Trail in Constituency 24 as most use their vehicles on public streets.

Now, as an adult, I still have family living within the boundaries of Constituency 24 — in addition to close friends and colleagues sprinkled across the constituency.

Twenty-four is not just a number to me. Constituency 24 is not just an area, either. It is and always will be a part of me. I want to represent 24 not by choice but because I feel it’s my duty to provide the residents with the tools in which they need to be successful as we move into the future together, just like they did for me throughout my youth.

The Good Book states, “Without vision the people perish” — Proverbs 29:18. The PLP had a vision to stand up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves.

Even though the dynamics of today’s society are arguably different than in 1963 (the founding year of the PLP), the principles on which it was founded remain the same — principles that can be summarized by the time honoured adage: ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’

If ever there was a time for us to be united, that time is now!

I believe that as an MP, in the interest of us moving forward as a people, my primary goal is (as it should be) to bring together the common issues, “threads”, of our community, and from those common threads make and provide a “blanket” of solutions that we as a nation can use to feel secure in as we continue to build one another together, moving towards the future.

• Lawrence Scott is the PLP Candidate for Constituency 24, Warwick South East.

Interviews on Hott 107.5's M.I.N.D.S.

Brief introduction - I appeared on radio station Hott 1075 in Bermuda as a guest on the M.I.N.D.S Talkshow to talk about my candidacy and what I bring to the table. I was able to reveal my plans if elected for C24 and tell the public who Lawrence Scott is and why the people of C24 should choose me over other candidates. Watch the videos below, or click here
Part 2
Part 3

Warwick Neighborhood Watch & Crimestoppers

Good day constituents,
I recently had the pleasure of attending and participating in well-attended meeting regarding the Warwick Neighborhood Watch scheme, hosted by the Bermuda Police Service. Members of the Bermuda Crimestoppers also attended this meeting to give all in attendance a summary of what they do and what they are about.

I will now present some key points from the meeting for the convenience of my constituents. I learned that:

- Neighborhood Watches are about residents and stakeholders working together to create safe, attractive and friendly neighborhoods; places where crime is less likely to occur and people are less likely to turn to antisocial behavior. It’s all about looking out for your neighbors and them looking out for you. It’s about making sure that no one feels alone, scared or vulnerable in the area which they live.

- Advantages to Neighborhood Watches:

•  Police responses to calls have been proven to be quicker for those neighborhoods in which there is a neighborhood watch. 
•  Neighborhood watches are responsible for reducing crime and fear in communities across the island
•  They are a positive tool for organizing communities to deal with issues that may be too difficult for the individual. 
•  They give members of the community opportunity to point out problems, raise concerns and propose solutions. 
• They present an opportunity for residents to interact with the police in a less adversarial manner, whilst fostering an environment for dialogue geared towards achieving community goals. 
•  They can create a healthy environment for the dissemination of information, whilst dispelling the need for unnecessary rumor mongering amongst residents. 
•  They can create the base and framework for sponsored cleanup programs to rid the community of eye sores - i.e. poorly maintained areas within the neighborhood, abandoned, vehicles, trash, graffiti etc.  

CRIMESTOPPERS

In a nutshell, the main goal they presented was to reassure the public that every telephone call to the Crime Stoppers Bermuda totally confidential 24-Hour Hotline is treated in the strictest of confidence. To ensure the confidentiality of all calls to their 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or 1-800-623-8477 (TIPS) numbers, the calls are answered overseas by the Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers in Miami, Florida, USA.  Information is then transferred back to Crime Stoppers Bermuda electronically and relayed by the coordinator to the relevant law enforcement agencies. In many instances, the law enforcement agencies are unaware that they are working on a Crime Stoppers Bermuda tip, which further protects the integrity of the information and anonymity of the caller.

A few other statistics that they shared were:

1)    Crimestoppers has received approx. 3000+ tips from local residents

2)    These tips have resulted in $52,000 + in rewards being paid out to Bermudians for their tips that have led to arrest and/or convictions

3)    Over $1,000,000 in assets returned to their owners

4)    300 + arrests made as a result of tips received

5)    0 people found out to be “tipsters”

6)    0 people asked to testify as a result of the tip

The question was asked by an audience member: 
“If this is 100% anonymous how are cash rewards given”?

Answer: “When you call 800 –TIPS you are given a tip number and the tipster is responsible for calling back and asking for a status update on their tip using their tip number as a reference. If a payment is attached to the tip number it is then up to the “Tipster” to make known how and when they want to receive their reward.  

They were also kind enough to share a few pointers:

SAFETY POINTERS

1. Always lock and secure all windows and doors.

2. Ask post office to hold your mail while you are on holiday.

3. Protect yourself with bright perimeter and indoor lighting.

4. Contact a trusted neighbor/ relative to let them know you’re going away and leave them the key. Tell them when you are going and when you will return.

5. Setting a timer system on lights and radios is an inexpensive and effective way to give your home a ‘lived in’ or ‘occupied’ look when you’re not there.

6. An alarm system is a deterrent to thieves. Make sure it is professionally installed with visible signage on your property.

7. Mark, photograph and ID your property. Record all serial numbers on electronics and other identifiable property.

8.  When bringing new merchandise into your home do not discard the box outside your residence. 
      ie.a large TV box. Thieves are opportunistic.

9.  Minimalize items around your house that will assist in unlawful entry to your home.

10. Bolt and secure Air Conditioners to window. Consider metal caging around it.

11. Plant protective shrubbery possibly bushes with thorns near lower level windows.

12. Cut back overgrown bushes - they provide hiding places for thieves

13. Limit the view of the interior of your home that people have from the exterior. Close curtains and drapes. 

14. Have situation awareness and know your surroundings.

15. If in an emergency Call 911 

My Jan 30th 2012 Speech

My first public speech - watch the video below, or click here