More CCTV cameras could cover Bermuda's residential streets in the next two years thanks to new technology.

Chief Inspector Tyrone Smith, who heads up the Community Action Team of Police officers in the western parishes, told residents at a town-hall meeting last night the Minister of Home Affairs and Commissioner of Police are looking into it at the moment.

During the meeting people living in Warwick, Southampton and Somerset were urged to form neighbourhood watches to help cut down on burglaries, which is the most frequent crime in that area of the Island.

One woman said her street had successfully set up a neighbourhood watch which used e-mail to alert residents about suspicious activity and liaised frequently with Police.

She added that her MP, Minister Zane DeSilva, had ensured the area received more lighting. She asked why CCTV cameras could not be added to newly constructed poles.

Chf Insp Smith said previously the cost of CCTV cameras was "prohibitive".

"We the Police do not have the budget for CCTV cameras," he said. "It has to be approved by the Government.

"I know the Commissioner and Minister are looking at a wireless system which could come online in the next two years. Before it was prohibitive because of the fibre optics. I would like it if there were more cameras."

And Police Crime Prevention officer Sergeant Alex McDonald said vigilance and properly secured homes would stop a majority of the burglaries on the Island.

Last month Police picked up three men in a western parish who are now before the courts facing 25 charges of stealing goods from homes.

Flat screen TV's and laptops are two of the most popular items to steal on the Island.

Sgt. McDonald said demand was so high for those items that text records of people charged with burglary showed messages advertising the sale, at a reduced price, of 40 inch televisions the same day they were stolen from homes.

However, even when goods are recovered without a serial number the rightful owners cannot take possession of the goods.

Members of the public asked last night why known drug dealers were allowed to remain sitting on walls in plain sight, particularly near White Hill Field.

Chf Insp Smith said: "Remember that the laws to move them along only passed recently. Last week we did a bust and we arrested some of them and moved others along."

As part of the Bermuda Police Service's 2010 mandate to make the public more confident in the Service Community Action Teams have met with residents across the Island. Last night's meeting at Port Royal Primary was the third of its kind.

Attorney General Kim Wilson also attended the meeting along with Minister DeSilva and Government MP Randolph Horton. Opposition MP Charlie Swan was also on hand.