Claims that a once safe and respectable neighbourhood has now plummeted to the point of becoming a ghetto have been levied by several residents in the Alexandra and Mary Victoria Roads area.

The homes at Alexandra Road and Mary Victoria Road in Prospect, just behind the Bermuda Broadcasting Company, are run by the Bermuda Housing Corporation and long housed Police officers.

When the housing situation reached crisis levels, many of the officers were helped in finding other accommodation and new tenants were put in the Prospect units.

Fearing retaliation from the "undesirable'' neighbours, the concerned residents asked not to be named or photographed when they were interviewed.

"A lot of strange things have been going on since they moved in,'' said one resident. "It's upsetting, but I stay out of it. I have my car outside and I don't want to say the wrong thing to the wrong person, so I just don't say anything.'' There have been two major incidents between Police and gangs of youths in the last two weeks.

In one, horrified residents watched as Police were confronted by some of the "unruly tenants''.

Eyewitnesses explained that despite being handcuffed, one man smashed the windscreen of a car.

"The f's were flying everywhere, and when I put my head out to check on my children in the yard, one of the guys shook his machete at me, but I wasn't even looking outside to look at him,'' a resident said.

`Safe' neighbourhood changes The concerned residents blamed the neighbourhood's decline on the departure of the officers and accused the Housing Corporation of evicting them.

"About two years ago, the Bermuda Housing Corporation began evicting the Police officers who stayed in this area,'' said one resident. "Now there are only a few remaining. When the Police officers stayed around here it was a lot better than it is now.

"It is now a ghetto. Youths race around here on bikes all the time, without helmets, probably stolen and you never see a Police car anymore.'' "I have only complained to the Housing Corporation once but they did nothing about it,'' said another resident. "There are so many children and they ride around all night on their pedal bikes with no lights. You cannot see them. It is very dangerous but the Corporation have to this day done nothing about it.'' Admitting a growing concern for their personal safety, one resident showed The Royal Gazette new locks and apparatus she has put on her doors while another explained that one of the deciding factors in deciding to buy her home was the safety of the neighbourhood when so many police officers lived there.

"I bought this unit because when I was here all the Police were living here and to me that meant that I would be safe. Now when I'm a senior and looking at enjoying the fruits of my labour, I cannot, because of all the foolishness going on.'' "It's a stinking situation, that's what it is. We have never had it like this before. It's the pits, said another resident, adding the situation was "sad''.

"They have no respect for anything or anyone'' many of the residents told The Royal Gazette .

One woman recounted an incident where a toddler of one of the new tenants was playing in the middle of the road. When the woman suggested to the mother of the child that the toddler not play in the road the mother cursed at her.

According to the woman, the next day the toddler saw her and with no provocation, threw the same profanity.

In agreeing that their neighbourhood is becoming a "ghetto'' the disgruntled residents told The Royal Gazette that overcrowding is contributing to the problem.

"Some of those houses have two bedrooms, but a man, his wife and children and the girlfriends of his children, together with their children, all live there.'' Bermuda Housing Corporation general manager Edwin Cowen denied any officers were evicted. He said officers left of their own accord and new tenants were placed in the units.

Police reports do show increased activity and problems in the area. Two skirmishes within ten days of each other have taken place and were brought to the attention of the Housing Corporation. Much of the problem is believed to be drug related.

Responding to the complaints, Mr. Cowen said he is aware of what is going on.

"We know there is a problem and we hope to get it resolved in a few weeks,'' he added. But he would not be drawn on any specific plans or action the Corporation might take.

Paradise lost: Alexandra Road in Prospect, Devonshire may look tranquil in this photo but residents paint a different story. They claim new tenants are dragging down the quality of life in their neighbourhood.