ERROR RG P4 1.5.2000 In a story about CrimeStoppers launching its new Rat on a Rat campaign in the Friday edition of The Royal Gazette , the wrong hotline number was printed.

CrimeStoppers can be contacted on 1-800-623-8477.

The people of Bermuda are being challenged today to help kick drugs off the Island with the launch of the Rat on a Rat campaign.

CrimeStoppers has unveiled its project for this year in the hope of encouraging people to call anonymously and offer information about any crime, but especially the sale and use of narcotics.

Co-ordinator of the civilian-run organisation Alex McDonald said the scheme was the opportunity for people to do something positive for Bermuda.

He said: "We are challenging members of the community to take control of the drug problem and get their neighbourhoods back.

"The Police and Customs cannot fight this fight alone. If the public doesn't get involved this problem will get worse.

"Children are vulnerable to the perils of drug dealers who prey on them.

Parents should realise that it could be their children.

"Drug addiction affects all neighbourhoods and all races. We need people to call us, in confidence, to tell us where there are problems and who is dealing and selling drugs.

"We have to clean this problem up together.'' The Rat on a Rat campaign will be promoted around the Island during the next year starting today.

Parents are being urged to educate their youngsters about the dangers of drugs and inform them of the CrimeStoppers hotline, so they, too, can report crime.

Mr. McDonald added: "These rats who deal drugs must be driven from the Island.

"People must not think that by calling CrimeStoppers they are ratting on their so-called friends. They should think that if they call CrimeStoppers they are doing a service for Bermuda.'' All calls made to CrimeStoppers go direct to Miami, where callers can remain anonymous and pass on information about crime.

CrimeStoppers is not a part of the Police, but instead a community service.

And rewards are offered for the arrest of suspects, regardless of whether or not callers identify who they are.

Chairman of CrimeStoppers McNeil Warner said: "If somebody's information leads to an arrest we will pay a reward.

"We do not want to see them and we are not interested in who they are. We will leave the reward wherever they want us to. We do not have to make contact with them.

"People should be confident to know that calls are completely anonymous. They can pass on information without anyone knowing who it has come from.'' The new Rat on a Rat campaign is being fully supported by Police on the Island and last night senior officers urged people to call the CrimeStoppers number.

Acting Chief Insp. Stuart Crockwell, who headed and launched the Police Task Force, which deals with problem areas around the Island, said drugs were a community problem.

He added: "In my 12 months on the Bermuda Task Force we averaged about 1,000 arrests and a lot of those arrests were due to information that came from the community, some through CrimeStoppers.

"Drugs play a major role in crime. The number of robberies, assaults and break-ins is largely due to people wanting money for drugs.

"Drugs have been responsible for the destruction of some very intelligent people, who have succumbed to its effects.

"These addicts need money to feed their habit. They target people coming out of clubs, watch them get out of their cars and even come out of their homes, so they can go and rob them.

"People have to understand that drugs affect everybody in some way. It can only be tackled with the help of everybody.'' He urged parents to educate themselves and their children about the dangers and signs of drugs and said everybody was vulnerable.

"Nobody is safe from drugs,'' he added.

"Without doubt, people should trust CrimeStoppers. I urge them to call.'' People can call CrimeStoppers on 1-800-623-8471.

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