As we face into the Easter period, and quickly approach the summer season, we can look forward to the return, in greater numbers, of the scumbags to our streets at night to cause mayhem and destruction. While there will always be an element of trouble in the town it is noticably greater in periods of better weather as the opportunities for all night drinking are much greater on the beach and other areas.
While no one in their right minds would want a return to the "Troubles", and all the suffering that brought to all sides involved, it is without question that incidences of anti-social behaviour were much lower then. As well as a more constant police (and army presence)on the streets of the town, the local mischief makers would also have feared the possibility of receiving punishment beatings at the hands of a paramilitary organisation.
One of the conditions of the ending of the "Troubles" was a cessation of this type of action. But this also removed any fear the scumbags had that they may be held accountable for their actions.
We now have a situation where we have moved from a form of justice that presumed an element of guilty until proven innocent, and handed out immediate justice, to a system under the PSNI (Public Safety - Not Interested) where policing seems to disappear from the streets at night leaving it free for the stone throwers, the drunks, the druggies and the window breakers to do as they will.
Showing posts with label Warrenpoint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Warrenpoint. Show all posts
Warrenpoint CCTV and Gangs
I read with interest your report on the gang which gathered in Warrenpoint on 12th. March. I witnessed this gang and can describe their presence in Church Street and the Square as intimidating. The only saving grace is that the other gang from Newry did not arrive or goodness knows what the consequences for the town would have been. However the police comment that they found the town to be quite and that no damage or injuries were reported is slightly misleading. There may have been no injuries as the Newry gang did not arrive, but there was certainly damage. I have seen the damage that was done to at least one business premises on Church Street. The fact of the matter is that the owner did not consider it worthwhile reporting this matter to the police because he felt it would be a complete waste of time. The fact is that unless necessary for insurance purposes minor damage is not reported as the belief is that it will never be investigated.
Even more worrying is the belief that CCTV is seen as some sort of saviour for the town and is being promoted by some of our politicans as the greatest arrival since Christ's at Bethlehem. My fear is that CCTV will be used by the police as a further excuse to abandon the need to patrol the town as they will argue that CCTV is present. The question will need to be asked if this CCTV will be monitored on a full time basis so that problems can be identified and immediately dealt with (I suspect not) and secondly it must be obvious that in this age of the hoodie culture that it will be impossible to identify troublemakers - do they expect them to remove their hoods and scarves and smile to the cameras before they move on. CCTV is not the answer, what is needed is regular police patrols on the streets who are prepared to deal with anti social behaviour and not more excuses for the police to abandon the town to the gangs.
Newry Democrat 27/03/07
Even more worrying is the belief that CCTV is seen as some sort of saviour for the town and is being promoted by some of our politicans as the greatest arrival since Christ's at Bethlehem. My fear is that CCTV will be used by the police as a further excuse to abandon the need to patrol the town as they will argue that CCTV is present. The question will need to be asked if this CCTV will be monitored on a full time basis so that problems can be identified and immediately dealt with (I suspect not) and secondly it must be obvious that in this age of the hoodie culture that it will be impossible to identify troublemakers - do they expect them to remove their hoods and scarves and smile to the cameras before they move on. CCTV is not the answer, what is needed is regular police patrols on the streets who are prepared to deal with anti social behaviour and not more excuses for the police to abandon the town to the gangs.
Newry Democrat 27/03/07
Warrenpoint Plots - Jim Boylan
I read with interest the issue raised by Jim Boylan in relation to the plans for the Plots area of Warrenpoint. He is quite right to point out that the provision of an all weather floodlit pitch , rather than another basketball court, is desperately required in the town. It would appear that this is another example of a council allocating the least possible amount of money to a project in Warrenpoint. The fact that it is seen as a major announcement by our mayor that monies are to be spent in ''sprucing up'' the park speaks volumes.
I remember that when he was first elected as mayor Mr. Carr stated that one of his main aims would be the provision of a pool in Warrenpoint. As his year draws to a close it appears that his legacy will be some plants in the park.
I don't blame Mr Carr for this and I know that he is a decent man. The problem remains that as long as we continue to elect politicans along party lines then they will always be beholden to their political masters, whether in Newry or elsewhere. This will always result in a situation where facilities will be allocated to Newry first and the scraps thrown from the table to all the other areas in the Coucil District. The situation is likely to get worse with the introduction of the super councils. Unless local people are prepared to elect people on local issues, and then judge them only on that record, the situation will not change.
Perhaps we ought to learn from the electorate in the South who consistently return Independent candidates to the Dail or local council to push local agendas.
Newry Democrat - 13/02/07
I remember that when he was first elected as mayor Mr. Carr stated that one of his main aims would be the provision of a pool in Warrenpoint. As his year draws to a close it appears that his legacy will be some plants in the park.
I don't blame Mr Carr for this and I know that he is a decent man. The problem remains that as long as we continue to elect politicans along party lines then they will always be beholden to their political masters, whether in Newry or elsewhere. This will always result in a situation where facilities will be allocated to Newry first and the scraps thrown from the table to all the other areas in the Coucil District. The situation is likely to get worse with the introduction of the super councils. Unless local people are prepared to elect people on local issues, and then judge them only on that record, the situation will not change.
Perhaps we ought to learn from the electorate in the South who consistently return Independent candidates to the Dail or local council to push local agendas.
Newry Democrat - 13/02/07
Mission Statement
Why was this blog created?.....maybe vanity.....to show my views are of some importance to the world.......but the real reason - just to allow me to vent some frustration, to observe and comment on happenings in my town, the surrounding area or any issue that catches my interest. Its just for my benefit but if it provokes the interest of anyone else then I thank you for your time......and forgive the ramblings of a mad man.
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