by DONNA SEALY

POLICE are taking the fight against crime in the north of the island to another level.

With St Lucy being the hot spot for illegal drug landings in the last two years, and burglaries and fights on the increase, the lawmen are calling on residents to be more vigilant and involved.

The police will also be stepping up their drug awareness programmes among the youth in an effort to reduce the level of crime in the once "sleepy towns" that have now been caught up with the "vagaries of the drug trade".

Yesterday, the police led by Divisional Commander of the North, Superintendent William Yearwood, held the first in a series of town hall meetings at the North Star Cricket Ground in Crab Hill.

Speaking to the Press before the start of the meeting, Yearwood said: "Generally, you know that we have a number of drug landings in this area; over a period of time there were a number of shootings, and burglaries are on the increase, so we are seeking their (the public's) assistance in getting information and policing this district."

He said they were working with the Barbados Defence Force to police the rugged coastal terrain in an effort to reduce the landings since drugs were infesting the area.

In response to a question raised by a resident, Assistant Superintendent Curvan Harvey said there was a "large quantity of drugs" consumed in St Lucy as well as in Boscobel, St Peter.

He added that from time to time they made "certain investigations" and more often that not youngsters were arrested, but their primary concern was the landing of the illegal narcotics.

"We welcome any information as it relates to the identity of those perpetrators," Harvey added.

Acting Commissioner of Police Bertie Hinds, who attended the meeting, told the DAILY NATION that the location of Crab Hill lent itself to the majority of the landings.

"Once the drugs were dropped off, the fellas would use it and distribute it. If the drugs are landed here some of the fellas come and steal the drugs and there is confrontation with people from all over Barbados," he said.

Hinds also gave an update on the $3.4 million Crab Hill Police Station. He said a retaining wall had to be built before they moved in and it was hoped it would be opened in April.

He also said he hoped to have a "couple" community officers to enable the police to expand the community outreach programme, and more /detectives and mounted officers.