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."