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ASBO- triumph or disaster?
Welcome to my first Blog Topic! This is a chance for you to comment on things impacting on your day to day life. Healthy debate is an essential part of democracy. It's also vital for me to hear your views so that I can represent you in Parliament to the best of my abilities. I launched my Blog this week at Ridgeway School and hope it will be very successful.
One of the most common issues I hear about from constituents is problems with anti-social neighbours and concerns over crowds of young people hanging around in the street. Elderly and other vulnerable groups often feel frightened when walking around after dark and feel like prisoners in their own homes.
The government has taken measures over recent years to try and tackle these concerns- but many feel they are ineffective and misguided.
141 ASBO (anti-social behaviour orders) were issued in Devon and Cornwall between 1999 and 2005. Just this summer local police officers obtained a Dispersal Order to move on young people who had started to gather on the Ridgeway, creating a nuisance to other local people.
Opinions on such measures are varied. Some people defend the rights of youngsters to move around the city freely and believe such actions alienate youths and fail to tackle the root causes of antisocial behaviour.
Others think the steps taken aren't tough enough and question the parenting of those with teenagers who roam the streets late at night.
What do you think? Should we be more focused on channeling our young people into more constructive activities? Or is it time to get tough on those who make walking down the road intimidating and unpleasant? Should we be challenging the parents of these teens? Or are you a teenager who has had enough of the bad press and wants to speak up for your generation?
Whatever your views, I'd love to hear them.
Yours,
Gary
1st November 2006
posted by Gary Streeter M.P. on Wednesday, November 01, 2006
7 Comments:
ASB is a problem, but I am worried about us becoming a police state. There has to be a balance!
I'm in year 11 at Ridgeway. Jonathon James, myself (Kirsty O'Connor) and several others believe that National Service should be brought back so known offenders -after they finish all education- take several years of training. Then they should have to swerve for a year (or more if they wish to carry it on) in a chosen force i.e army, marine, Navey, RAF.
Congratulations Gary on the launch of your very own Blog! A brilliant way to communicate with your constituents, young and not so young, in this ever growing electronic age. ASBO's may well have a place in the options available to police to deal with certain types of anti-social behaviour, ie. dispersal of large and unruly gangs but surely there can be no substitute for uniformed foot patrols as the ultimate deterrent to unacceptable standards of behaviour, and to provide a visible form of confidence for citizens, of whatever age, to go about their lawful business in the community by day or night.
When I used to work with young people, all many of them wanted was a large bus shelter type of place to hang out. Lots of these shelters could be provided all around Plympton, thus giving young people somewhere to gather instead of on street corners. Mary Perry
It seems to me that the problems that are being experienced across the community by youngsters are being caused by a minority.
Most young people are well aware and endorse the values by which a community can thrive. They support the ethics of honesty, helping others less fortunate and they know the values of education and work - their parents have taught them well and those values are further supported at school and in out-of-school activities.
But the minority who have not developed so well in life (for reasons of poor parenting, or lack of ability perhaps) are being allowed by adults to be an increasing problem. It is my belief that our politicians of all parties have been misled over the past 40 years by a very vocal set of 'do gooders' who have talked loudly about human rights and not at all about human responsibilities.
The sad result is that some parents now fear to (or do not know how to)reprimand their own children appropriately, police are trussed up in red tape and beaurocracy, the general public now hesitate to intervene in street incidents for fear of prosecution, and schools have no effective sanctions to use when necessary.
ASBOs are a balm but not a cure. In that they may help to protect us they should be applauded, care taken that the conditons are not seen to be breached, and appropriate action taken if they are.
I agree with 'Old Plod' who recognised the undoubted benefits of a police presence being visible on the streets. I have noticed this being introduced in my area very recently and welcome it.
I also have encountered a 'can't do' attitude in the local police force that says 'we can't be everywhere - and if we move them on they'll just be a nuisance somewhere else'. This simply isn't good enough - and should be condemned as the 'humbug' it is wherever it occurs.
Providing local facilities for youngsters to meet is welcomed by the majority who know how to make the most out of opportunities in life. But for those that don't, and who are already beyond control, something else has to be tried. And this is discipline - imposed on them to make sure that they conform to normal behavioural standards as expected by their community with the full compulsory involvement of parent(s).
I guess a police-lead 'no tolerance' ethos in the whole community is what is required. It worked in New York after all. And for those who mis-behave, let's have a programme of community service to redress the damage - park and river cleaning, graffiti removal and work with specific community projects could certainly give us all a cleaner, tidier environment and could give the offending youngsters the sense of attainment, purpose and local involvement which is so obviously lacking.
Thank you all of you who have commented so far - all very useful. Keep the comments flowing. Democracy in action!
Gary,
There's a real problem in Plymton with a lack of facilities. Ther's a need for more art/drama/dance/music and other socialising activities. The schools are willing to use facilities for the purpose and need approriate facilities for weekend use, with workers to help. Rees do a good job but involving parents and other adults to help takes a lot of time. Bus fares are high so getting to the pictures etc seems to make an evening out (constructive) mere expensive. Can you do what you can to support Plympton's case for more services in the 'extended schools' category. It seems ther is always mor money for Cities, but the suburbs are restricted and, it appears, easy to forget. Checkout the facilities at other schools in Plymouth and compare. Even space is a problem for sports grounds etc (despite being close to green areas).
Thanks for all you do for the students at Ridgeway and elsewhere in being involved. You are worthy of my vote, and get it each time, despite party politics suggesting a different course of action to me in other circumstances. I live in Plympton so, I guess, understand the problems.
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