AN increased police presence including regular foot patrols is planned for the town of St. George's as the area struggles to rid its reputation as a bastion of criminal activity

St. George's Mayor E. Michael Jones yesterday said he had been assured by Government that more would be done to police the World Heritage Site ? and that the changes would come "sooner rather than later".

"The Corporation is ever hopeful that perhaps in the not-too-distant future, we will be in a position where we will have officers who can go out and meet the community; your local constable-type person who is more aware, really knows individuals, and knows where the hot spots most tend to be," he said.

"It's been difficult in the past, there haven't been enough (police) to provide that service (but) I'm ever hopeful that will change. I just think it's an excellent opportunity for us in the near future to be able to work with something like that.

"I know the Corporation has requested that information. I know there have been talks with the Government ? not specifically concerning this ? but I have been given the assurance that the Government is aware and is sensitive to the issue, and they will do all they can to help St. George's maintain a police presence in the town; one that will (have officers) walking about in the streets."

For the past year, the US Department of State has highlighted Bermuda's "moderate but growing crime rate" on its web site as a warning to potential visitors. Specific mention is made of St. George's: "Criminal activity continues to take place at St. George's, a popular cruise ship destination and World Heritage Site.

"Incidents of verbal and physical assault against both locals and tourists have been reported. Petty drug use is frequent and open, and gang activity has been reported in the area as well."

While such activity may have happened in the past, Mr. Jones said the town had been incident-free for almost six months. And he said that as long as local media continued to detail St. George's problems, the web site message would remain the same.

"I think in the past, St. George's has certainly had the odd case where we've had a little bit of disturbance in the town during the late evenings, etc. I think we have perhaps blamed the youth when it wasn't necessarily always the youth causing the disturbances.

"I think that's been picked up by the local news media and that's where the US Consulate apparently gets its information from. Yes, we certainly are concerned. No, we don't think that the average American needs to be concerned. I'm not saying it's right, but one could say that if you go off looking for drugs and then you get beat up . . . does that (necessarily mean) it's unsafe for Americans to go out on the street?

"We have been extremely pleased that since late summer there's been very little activity of that kind in St. George's. It's been extremely quiet. Perhaps if (the US Department of State) get the information from the press, (their web site warning) might change.

"Reports will indicate ? if they choose to go to the police and ask how many incidents of crime have there been in St. George's? How many incidents of violence? How many incidents of drug arrests etc.? ? crime is absolutely, phenomenally, way down. I don't know whether Hurricane Fabian chased everybody away but it's been very quiet in the town in terms of that kind of activity."

It was not planned to have police employ strong-arm tactics to maintain safety, the Mayor said. Rather, the idea was that the increased presence would make people feel more comfortable on the street at night.

"I am ever hopeful. I'm not talking about strong arm (policing). I'm just talking about constables that are out, people that are walking on the beat so there's an opportunity for them to interact with the townsfolk.

"People will know that there is someone there. I think previously there was concern that the police were simply patrolling in their cars and there wasn't that interaction. But the merchants, the community, we're all certainly doing our bit to attempt to make our neighbourhood safe for both our visitors and the people who live in the town.

"And we're hopeful that with some additional policing, that will happen. And I think it's going to come sooner rather than later."