Too many residents are turning a blind eye to drug activity in their neighbourhoods, according to Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith.

And the Island's top cop has called for more information from the public as Police seek to build partnerships to beat the pushers.

He told Hamilton Lions yesterday: “We should be receiving far more information concerning the distribution and sale of illegal drugs in the community.

“How does that house get built by someone who doesn't work? Where does the money come from to purchase the new car, the satellite dish, the overseas travel - all by someone who doesn't work or who has clearly supplemented their income by illegal means?

“We need the information - not malicious information - but just information from the community which surely must be concerned of the havoc that drugs are causing.”

He said members of the public, who pay $650 per head per annum for the Police Service, would get more for their tax dollar if they helped them.

Mr. Smith said: “Where are the community-led victim support groups? Where are the neighbourhood watches - I am not just talking about a few rusty signposts - I mean real, active neighbourhood watch groups, members of the community looking out for each other?”

Lion member Stuart Pearson said that drug activity was regularly occurring behind the Bermuda Society for the Blind's base at Beacon House on Beacon Street but Police failed to come despite regular calls for help.

He said: “If we don't get the support when we actually call for help then we are in trouble.”

Mr. Smith offered his help and said the Police Support Unit, formed earlier this year to deal with drugs and disorder, had been highly effective with 21 officers making more than 700 arrests, including 154 drug seizures.

“I think they are responding,” he said.

He said he didn't know why the public was so reluctant to help Police identify drug dealers.

“I am appealing to the public. The information is known to somebody.”

Community beat officers, who will come on stream in January, will boost community involvement in beating crime said Mr. Smith.

But Sports clubs could do more to curb trade on and around their premises said the Commissioner.

He said Government had come up with recommendations to enhance security at club grounds including management playing a leading role, installation of public address systems to put out an anti-drugs message, improvements with lighting and fencing and small CCTV systems.

Nightclubs warned to clean up their act - Page 2