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Nothing has changed

From current newspaper reports it is evident NOTHING has changed in the past 10 years, drug prices remain the same, the same quantities are available, identical drugs are used, newspapers contain names we were arresting or targeting and the same old problem areas continue to exist.  How long will it take someone to realise that a different approach is required?  When will the resources be available?  Who will train the officers?  Why does the Bermuda public tolerate such poor service?

The newspaper (Royal Gazette) headline Tuesday, May 30th, 1989 read:

Middletown new role as 'hot' spot for drugs

It's called 'Middletown' a low in come, high density area of Hamilton where King Street ends and local narcotics officers' nightmares begin.   Middletown's main commodity is 'crack' a pure, crystallised form of inexpensive cocaine smoked for quick highs, which can turn kids into junkies overnight.

Since the public outcry over the St Monica's Mission drugs area cooled things off a few degrees there, Middletown has erupted as Bermuda's number one spot for illicit narcotics.

Strangers turning into Middletown off King Street are greeted with hard stares unless they seem to be looking for something illegal, then they are waved over.

It's a place Police officers simply don't go into alone, and even when they go in force, they can expect to be met with showers of rocks and bottles.

the report continues ...

"The problem in Middle town is the area itself .... it's how it has built up - easy to get in but tough to get out.  You have to know it very well" said Norrell Hull.

Of course, such remarks are easy to make when you do not visit he area and rely on the reports of intimidated officers to those who do not enter for fear of encountering the unknown.  Such remarks to a newspaper hindered police activity and are irresponsible. Well done Norrell, you perpetuated the myth that the area was a 'no-go zone', fuelling bravado and recklessness in the residents and those who visited the area.

Middletown was one of the simplest areas to pluck off prisoners.  My pocket book entries on the pages called 'Pre Narco' located via 'Diary', Pre-condition and Entry will detail numerous arrests made in the area.  I never once ran into a problem in Middletown (okay, once when I ran through it and out the other side making an arrest). 

The report goes on to advise ...

Following a suspected dealer there means going on foot.   And officers are 'advised' not to try that alone says Inspector Hull.  Raids on homes have to be carried out fast and hard.  "Unless you get in there quickly, the first thing you hear is the flushing of toilets" says Inspector Hull.   "A hundred thousand dollars worth of cocaine can be flushed in two seconds"

Possibly therein lies the problem?  A seizure with a prisoner is a very nice 'result'.  But personally, I am not about to grieve over the loss of $100,000 down a toilet.  I'll let the person who has to account for its disappearance worry about that.  $100,000 of cocaine is a substantial amount off the 'bottom line' someone is going to be very unhappy. 

$100,000 flushed to oblivion and no prisoner also means a lot less paper work!  No arrest, statements, reports, Court etc.  I'm not advocating flushing the stuff down the toilet on every occasion but it doesn't have the  great downside suggested.  Unless of course you are the head of Narcotics and are concerned with figures and your image (kudos).

And let's not forget why picking prisoners off was so easy.  Cocaine is not manufactured in Middletown!  It travels from S. America, reaches Bermuda's shores and is conveyed to such areas. 

Does anyone know of a time $100,000 worth of cocaine was ever seized from Middletown before May 1989?  IT WAS NOT.

Links will be created below for the Middletown related pocket book entries.

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