Pubdate: Fri, 19 Sep 2008
Source: Lismore Northern Star (Australia)
Copyright: APN News & Media Ltd 2008
Contact:  http://www.northernstar.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4156
Author: MEL McMILLAN

COPS WARM TO NIMBIN, DEALERS FEEL THE HEAT

WHILE there has been vocal opposition to police raids  on Nimbin 
businesses, the only criticism of police in  the village yesterday 
came from a woman angry they were  not doing more.

"I am leaving town because I've had enough," the woman  yelled during 
a press conference with officers outside  the police station.

"I am over this 70-metre strip (the main street).

"I'm a bit disappointed and I am sick of your excuses."

The region's top cop, Superintendent Bruce Lyons, had  come to Nimbin 
to walk the main street and tell  businesses they had nothing to fear 
from police -  provided they were not involved in the illicit drug trade.

Police shut down Nimbin's Hemp Bar last month under  laws that allow 
them to close premises suspected of  being involved in the supply of drugs.

The Nimbin Museum was issued with an eviction notice  and will close 
by the end of the month.

Supt Lyons warned police would not tolerate drug  dealing at Nimbin.

"If businesses in Nimbin want to trade in drugs, police  will do what 
they can to shut down their drug trade,"  he said.

Supt Lyons said there had been some misunderstanding  about police 
operations and the aim of the walk was to  explain to the business 
community exactly what police  were doing.

"I need to reassure the community they have our full  support. I look 
forward to their support to get rid of  drug dealing," he said.

Supt Lyons said police wanted to make Nimbin a safer place.

The police had worked hard to build relationships with  the Nimbin 
community and to embrace the town's unique  character, he said.

"We have been able to get workers on the street through  the health 
department and police officers are playing  sport in local Nimbin 
teams," Supt Lyons said.

"We are engaged at the school where we have taken  students away on camps."

Supt Lyons said police were also liaising with the  local Nimbin 
paper, Nimbin Good Times, and village  radio station NIM-FM. And 
their efforts were working,  he said.

Supt Lyons said police would look at all avenues to  reduce drug 
supply and would target people buying the  drugs.

"We need to get the message out that Nimbin is not the  place to come 
to buy drugs," he said.

Supt Lyons, accompanied by police officers based at  Nimbin Police 
Station, visited four shops at the  southern end of the village.

Police gave business operators at Funfruits and  Vegdibles, Nimbin 
NRMA, Nimbin Butchers and the  Aquarius Bakery a letter outlining 
their efforts to  build community partnerships in the town.

Supt Lyons said: "I am not afraid to walk the streets  of Nimbin."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart