Violence and anti-social behaviour is plaguing much of the Island, but people in Sandys North Central have decided to take matters into their own hands as The Royal Gazette found when Robyn Skinner visited this week for Up Your Street.

The idea was first conceived 15 years ago and it took 24 months of construction, but the Sandys 360 community sports centre was well worth the wait, according to local MP Dennis Lister.

More than 2,000 people including Premier Dr. Ewart Brown were present for the opening of the $12 million facility last September. It boasts sports halls and can be used by local groups for various events.

Sandys North Central MP Mr. Lister says the creation of a community focal point is a return to the days when families used to look out for each other with their unofficial neighbourhood watches.

A Somerset man born and bred, the PLP politician owned a grocery store in the neighbourhood for around 12 years before entering the political field.

It's this personal connection that Mr. Lister feels he brings to his constituency. He hopes the community shares that connection and because of it, is willing to work to combat anti-social behaviour.

As the area MP since 1989, he remembers the days when elders were the eyes and ears on the doorsteps ensuring that anything that happened was monitored.

If a delivery came to his house, Mr. Lister knew about it and if someone was hanging around it was noticed. He says these type of interactions need to return.

"My concern is an Island-wide concern about the young people having gone astray and unnecessarily so," he said.

"We are hoping projects like this (Sandys 360) will be something that will help keep them on the positive side. I still think it's a small percentage that are causing problems in our community.

"Unfortunately that draws the most attention. We look at a project like this, (it) could be a big deterrent."

The building opened amid much fanfare seven months ago. Sandys 360 Foundation managing director Melvyn Bassett declared it had been a labour of love from all corners of the community for a decade-and-a-half.

Mr. Lister said the area can reap the rewards if such projects are given maximum support.

He explained: "There used to be unofficial neighbourhood watches when I first got back here. The home I lived in, we had some of the elders who sat outside. They could tell me who had been in the neighbourhood that day.

"Most of the residents here are long-term residents. The family names go back generations."

Mr. Lister hopes that families will again draw together to keep their relatives out of trouble and on the right track.

The neighbourhood has seen its share of violence. In February a 24-year-old was shot just yards from St. Joseph's Catholic Church near Broome Street.

No one has been charged with the shooting and Mr. Lister said community leaders are actively working with both the Police and the churches in the area to ensure the community is safe.

With a Somerset Cup Match looming this year, Mr. Lister is even more aware of the need for a community effort.

"As Cup Match is up here this year I have already had (discussions with) the Minister of Works and Engineering (Derrick Burgess) to make sure the area and club are ready. I think the club is pleased for the offer with efforts in that regard."

But Mr. Lister and his constituency are not done yet, rallying behind the churches and the Police in an effort to bring everyone together.

He said: "We used to meet with them (the churches) on a quarterly basis. It had whittled away, but we are positively trying to revitalise that. We are turning to re-galvanise what we can do with the community.

"We have had some very good meetings with them so far. We have had some good community meetings.

"We are looking at how we can collectively address those concerns. I am pleased these meetings are starting again.

"Just the other Thursday we had a meeting of the whole West End. One of the things I would really like to see is a Neighbourhood Watch.

"We feel really positive when we talk with the Police. The issues that people raise are the same the Police are aware of and they are doing what they can to diminish the impact."

Next week, Up Your Street visits Smith's North. Residents of that constituency who want to raise any issues should e-mail news@royalgazette.bm.