Few incidents of burglaries and thefts from Hamilton retail stores occur on Court Street.

And the start of closed circuit television (CCTV) in the City of Hamilton is expected to eventually branch out to north Hamilton and the area commonly referred to as "the back of town''.

But several of the retailers on Court Street this week told The Royal Gazette they were not concerned for their safety in an area widely regarded as the illicit-drug section of Hamilton.

The street typically has a generous sprinkling of men and boys loitering and drug dealing.

Many of the small shops stay open until 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and are manned by a lone female.

Judith Burgess, owner of the 2000 Family Boutiques, said very often the guys in the street actually watch out for her and her young daughter when they have to work alone.

"They treat her (the young daughter) like their baby sister and they look after her,'' Mrs. Burgess said.

"We don't have problems with them doing burglaries and we are not afraid for our personal safety.'' Mrs. Burgess noted that drug dealing was the problem she often had to contend with.

"I don't want them doing that in front of the store,'' she admitted. "My son goes out and tells them to move along, and they go without any fuss.'' She conceded that many people do not shop on Court Street because of the atmosphere.

"They don't like to come here because of the guys hanging around and that becomes a problem for us in terms of business,'' she said.

"But with my contacts in the schools I encourage people to come out here, even white people. There is a Portuguese woman who shops down here and tells others about the bargains, and she tells them that the guys don't bother her at all.'' Although she said she feels safe Mrs. Burgess noted that CCTV could help the area.

"I am not against it and I don't think most of the store owners down here would be,'' she said.

The store attendant at Show Me Some Love Boutique said she also has never been worried for her safety at the shop.

"People out here are no different from people anywhere else,'' she said.

That sentiment was echoed by everyone else.

A man whose wife runs a wig shop said that they have never had trouble, but he noted "it is good to be on your guard all the time''.

"We have never had any trouble but you could run into problems if you don't watch your back,'' he said. "But that's not unique to here, that could happen downtown too.'' The man, who did not wish to be identified, welcomed the idea of CCTV on Court Street as a forward-thinking move.

"You never know what lies around the corner. Things could get really bad here and then the cameras would certainly help,'' he pointed out.

A Moslem woman, who works as a sales assistant in Infinity Boutique, said closed circuit cameras would not make her feel anymore secure.

"Basically everyone is very friendly around here. I'm Moslem and I feel fine here. I enjoy working in this area because I get a chance to see all different types of cultures,'' said the woman who also did not wish to be named.

"I think people, whomever they are, give Court Street a bad name. It's fine out here. Cameras would not make me feel any safer.

"Attitude has a lot to do with it. If you feel good working here, things will be fine. But if you feel afraid, it will be more difficult for you.''