Together we’ll crack it!
Public meeting discusses way forward on drugs issue
Blackbird Leys residents resolved to take action against class-A drug dealers at a public meeting organised by the IWCA on Saturday 29 June.
The meeting had been called to discuss ways of tackling the growing problem of crack-cocaine and heroin dealing on the estate.
From the outset the overwhelming majority of participants agreed that the authorities—police, council and housing associations—had clearly demonstrated that they are not interested in the problem.
Residents have previously complained to the IWCA that the police are taking no action to stop open drug dealing on Blackbird Leys and that dealers are often seen carrying on their activities in full view of parked patrol cars.
IWCA councillor Stuart Craft, chairing the meeting, spelt out the stark choice facing the community: ‘Many people believe that the police are operating a policy of containment when it comes to heroin and crack dealing on the estate … It’s clear that they aren’t doing anything. It’s therefore up to residents to tackle the problem—if we don’t do something ourselves no one else will do it for us.’
He went on to say that if residents got things moving then the police would quickly start to take an interest. ‘The last thing the authorities will want to see is residents successfully deal with the problem in conjunction with the IWCA as it will expose their inactivity.’
The meeting went on to list some of the areas on the estate where drug dealers are operating. These were identified as: the phone box on Pegasus Rd opposite Pegasus Court; two properties on Nightingale Avenue; outside the main shops on Blackbird Leys Road; the area to the rear of the Spa shop; Gillians Park; Starwort Path maisonettes; a flat on Acacia Avenue; a property in Warburg Crescent; and the alleyway parallel to Little Bury.
Residents then put forward a number of suggestions as to how the problem could be tackled. However, a majority of participants felt that before starting work to implement these it would be useful to hold another meeting to allow those present to come up with further ideas and to allow more people to get involved.
The next public meeting to discuss ways of tackling the heroin and crack dealing problem will take place on Saturday 27 July, 3pm at the Barn.
Leys Independent, Issue 14, July 2002
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