Court Street businesses yesterday demanded better Police protection in the wake of the Spinning Wheel Club double shooting.

They protested Police rarely patrolled the street -- despite its reputation as a haunt for drug users and dealers.

Some voiced little surprise at the weekend shooting, saying they had heard gunfire in the area before.

And others pointed an accusing finger at Government for ignoring young teenagers in the street who played truant from school.

"It seems everybody has just washed their hands of Court Street,'' complained one businessman.

Manager of Elliott Street Deli Mr. Bervin Pitt said: "Police need to be far more strict and stern.'' The plight of single young mothers striving to make ends meet was also spelled out.

As moms fought to find enough money to pay the rent, their children were often neglected and sometimes drawn into drugs, it was claimed.

"It is so difficult for young moms. Government should do something for them to lower the cost of living,'' said one woman.

The street's merchant community spoke out four days after 19-year-old Ian DeSilva/Simmons, of Hamilton Parish, was pumped with five bullets in the Spinning Wheel.

Last night he remained in "critical, but stable'' condition in the intensive care unit of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where Police have been giving him 24-hour protection.

Sixteen-year-old Jermaine Lovell, of Fruitland Lane, Pembroke, was discharged earlier this week after being shot in the hand.

On Wednesday, Charles Roger Richardson, 23, of Harrington Sound Road, Smith's Parish, appeared at Magistrates' Court to be charged with the shooting.

While most Court Street traders were willing to express their feelings to The Royal Gazette , many were afraid to identify themselves for fear of reprisals.

A woman employee at the Bargain Centre said: "I think the Police should patrol the area more.

"It would help cut out the ignorance and disrespect that young people show these days. There is a lot of verbal abuse.'' The woman said Police only cared about Court Street when trouble exploded, as on Sunday.

"They wait for something to happen before coming here.'' She added many kids causing problems in the street should be at school.

"There used to be a truancy officer who would get children back into school, but nobody seems to pay any attention to them any more.

"There is no doubt the problems in the street do affect business. Customers are scared to come here sometimes.'' One customer who entered the store as she spoke, had one solution to the problems.

"I think there should be more activities for the youth. There is nothing for them to do in the evenings.'' Store owner Mrs. Matilda Allen agreed with the call for more Police patrols.

While the people who hung around the area did not bother her, Mrs. Allen said she was aware of the drug activity.

People want more Police She could see drug transactions being carried out in alleyways.

The manageress of a clothing store said Police only stepped up patrols in the street on Fridays.

"There is a real stigma attached to Court Street, and we don't get the protection that other areas get.'' She added: "One of the reasons we are getting so many problems on the Island is that the family structure has fallen apart.'' A 19-year-old street vendor, who makes her own jewellery, pointed at education as the key to solving crime.

"I am a focussed African Bermudian girl, and I believe knowledge is power,'' she said.