It will take a joint effort between the community, the Corporation of Hamilton, Police and Government to allow Court Street to flourish and become a positive and productive contributor to society.

So said Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt and Hamilton East Central MP Stanley Morton in response to criticisms from Court Street store owners who pointed to the crime and drug problem in the area.

The shopkeepers blasted the lack of Police presence and asked what Close Circuit Televisions (CCTV) cameras would do to help when people already knew what was happening there.

Mr. Morton said people on Court Street should feel like they were on any other city street.

He said: "People should be made to feel that they are welcome.'' And Mr. Sherratt noted that Court Street was not alone in having a limited Police presence, when it came to the city's streets.

"There is very little presence in the City by Police,'' he said and pointed to a lack of officers in the Police force as the reason for this.

Mr. Morton said there was a tendency for some people in the area to feel that they could do as they liked and added that he would be sitting down to talk to Police about the problems in the area.

A Police spokesperson confirmed that there were two constables who were assigned to the area around Court Street and stressed that Police did patrol the area.

However the spokesperson pointed out that the officers had to patrol other areas also, which was why their presence in the area might appear to be brief.

He added: "The Police Service is awaiting the arrival of overseas recruits who will further alleviate the burden on the divisions.'' Talks have been underway about installing CCTV in the North Hamilton area in a bid to address the crime and drug problem but the idea has met resistance from business people there.

Mr. Sherratt said: "There was a strong feeling from the Court Street area against having cameras. Business and club owners did not want them to be put up.'' But he said there seemed to be some rethinking on the issue with business owners beginning to voice their support.

"CCTV could be very good for Court Street,'' continued Mr. Sherratt. "It provides Police with a way to monitor the area and could be a way to reduce crime.'' Mr. Morton said it was important that Court Street residents and store owners were made to feel that they were receiving the same treatment and protection as everyone else in the city.

He said: "These are people and they deserve protection.'' And, pointing to the Progressive Labour Party headquarters at Alaska Hall on Court Street, Mr. Morton added: "We should do everything to make sure that the area is made wholesome.

"We need everyone to work together,'' stressed Mr. Morton. "It won't be easy but it will take time.'' Mr. Morton agreed with an idea voiced by one store owner who suggested that having counsellors and drug treatment professionals visible in the area would help people with drug addictions find help. But when it came to the physical conditions of the area, Mr. Sherratt said the Corporation was aware of a number of sidewalks and other problem spots which needed to be fixed and was working toward making that happen.

"We try to give Court Street special attention,'' he said.

"Court Street is one of the brightest areas in the city,'' he added, "and we collect trash three times a week, most areas only get two.'' And Mr. Sherratt noted that the new plan for the city, which will be unveiled to the public shortly, focussed largely on Court Street.

The Corporation is looking at improving the residential streets, making them less accessible to the large amounts of traffic, as well as creating a market area for Court Street.

On begging, Mr. Sherratt said he believed panhandlers needed to be addressed by the public and Police.

He noted: "It is against the law to beg.'' And he pleaded with members of the public to not give money to people who begged because it might go toward supporting a drug habit.

He said: "This is the worst thing we can do as a community. We're giving them the drugs.'' Stanley Morton Roger Sherratt