Pubdate: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 Source: Thorold News (CN ON) Copyright: 2005, OSPREY Media Group Inc Contact: http://thorold.niagaracommunitynewspapers.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3721 Author: Petr Cihacek BUSINESSES TO UNITE IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS, PROSTITUTION Thorold's Business Improvement Area has decided to unite businesses in a fight against drug dealers, prostitutes and their clients who deter some people from walking downtown. "We've been trying to think of a way to combat the situation downtown," BIA co-ordinator Becky Day said, adding the group is hoping to adopt a program similar to neighbourhood watch, with business owners watching out for each other to make the area safer. Day said the idea of community watch came from Paul DeDivitiis, the co-owner of Moose and Goose. "The idea's that everybody comes together and keeps the downtown safer," Day said. "And when they see anything we hope they'll contact the police and don't look the other way anymore." Mayor Robin Brock said a downtown community watch is a wonderful idea because the core is having more problems than it used to. "We do have a bit of a drug problem we're aware of," Brock said. "That brings unscrupulous characters who come downtown looking for drug dealers. We don't want them downtown and we don't want them in our community." Coun. Fred Neale said some residents don't feel Front Street is safe anymore. "Especially in the evening seniors won't walk downtown," Neale said, adding that some retirees told him that even during the day they hesitate to walk past certain groups of people on Front Street. Neale also said the drug problem is more prevalent and there are more dealers downtown. He said some people told him drug dealers have started offering drugs to students near Thorold Secondary School. The councillor said he also heard reports on prostitution downtown. "Some people came up to me that there are women who seem to be picked up by men," he said. "There are two or three different ones as far as I know." Neale, who is a BIA executive, said the group brought the problem to the police. "Police will do what they can but people should have their ears to the ground and if they see something call the police department," Neale said. Day proposed the idea to downtown business owners at the latest BIA meeting. "Everybody seemed to be very receptive. Everybody seemed to like the idea." She also said she's been exploring suitable community watch logos. "We'll encourage store owners and business owners to put a sticker or poster in their window," Day said. "This will show that they're participating." DeDivitiis said community watch will make it easier for owners to work together on giving downtown business a boost. "It's a unity thing," he said. "We all are working for the same goal." - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman