“BITMO tenants are sick and tired of the drug use and drug dealing in Belle Isle, the kids on bikes wearing balaclavas, the cars pulling up at all hours of the day and night, the smell of cannabis and the behaviour of the people who are high. All these things make our community feel less comfortable and less safe.” These are the words of Deborah Kelly, who led a team of BITMO staff to knock on every door of Winrose Crescent to let residents know that BITMO takes the problem of drug dealing seriously and ask for their help.
Deborah added “Even so people are reluctant to report what they see to the police. They don’t want to stand out. They are nervous about what flack might come their way if they do. We’ve got to switch this around, and make it so the dealers and the users are uncomfortable instead. We are asking everybody to report what they see, to us and to the police. If the community stands and acts together we will see effective action being taken to make sure that Belle Isle is a place where people want to live because it is safe, and it is comfortable.”
BITMO has given out “Belle Isle Says No to Drug Dealers” postcards giving details where drug dealing can be reported to BITMO, the police or Crimestoppers and will be starting weekly phone calls to residents in areas affected by drug dealing.
Deborah concluded “ We know that we can’t solve the drugs problem, and we are not judging people who are suffering because they have a drug problem, but we have got to do what we can to support our community to live in a better way without the day to day problems that users and dealers cause.”
You can report drug dealers with or without giving your name to BITMO at asb.enquiries@belleisletmo.co.uk, to Crimestoppers online or on 0800 555 111, or to the police online or by phoning 101.
