Alternative Policing Options

[Bloggo]

I recently read an article that said that the people living in a suburb of Southampton have clubed together to hire a security company to walk the streets in order to deter vandalism and anti- social behaviour.
The reason being that they have little confidence that the Police are paying much attention to the problems in their area.

I have a couple of views on this.
One, isn't it an adverse comment on the service that we pay the Police for that is falling short of the expectation of the Community it is surposed to serve.
Secondly should these residents get some money back from local government as they are augmenting the service provided
Thirdly, what a good idea to enhance what are clearly over stretched Police resources.

Is this where we are going in that we are contracting out to protect ourseleves and our communities.

What do you think?

[GMR]

I think it says a lot about our police service.

In America well off societies use special security guards to police their area. They’ve become very popular. One of the reasons for this is that police have to work within government guidelines. Security guards know who their masters are and work to their specifications. If culprits are caught committing crimes they are dealt with in a manner that makes them think twice when going to an areas that have such security systems.

[user23]

In America well off societies use special security guards to police their area. They’ve become very popular. One of the reasons for this is that police have to work within government guidelines. Security guards know who their masters are and work to their specifications.

Very true. The Police have to work to a particular set of guidelines that (are supposed to) benefit us all.

Private security have the interests of whoever hired them at heart which is hardly concdusive to social cohesion.

In hiring private security these people are contributing the the very problem they are seeking to protect themselves from.

[GMR]

Very true. The Police have to work to a particular set of guidelines that (are supposed to) benefit us all.

Private security have the interests of whoever hired them at heart which is hardly conclusive to social cohesion.

As you said 'supposed to' benefit all. Sadly they don't. That is why certain groups within society have moved to the private sector. They only way we will over change things back to what they were is if the police become tougher.

[user23]

As you said 'supposed to' benefit all. Sadly they don't. That is why certain groups within society have moved to the private sector. They only way we will over change things back to what they were is if the police become tougher.

Tougher policing, in time, breeds tougher criminals. Just look at America where in some situations they shoot first and ask questions later. Almost all criminals, even those involved in petty crime are armed. Criminals react in kind to the force exerted on them.

This is not what we want in this country, is it?

[GMR]

Tougher policing, in time, breeds tougher criminals. Just look at America where in some situations they shoot first and ask questions later. Almost all criminals, even those involved in petty crime are armed. Criminals react in kind to the force exerted on them.

This is not what we want in this country, is it?

OK... if we don't want tougher policing then what do we want? Accept the situation as it is now?

[Biker1]

OK... if we don't want tougher policing then what do we want? Accept the situation as it is now?

Tougher, much tougher, punishments?

[GMR]

Tougher, much tougher, punishments?

I agree with you Biker, however, our friend doesn't share our views. I think, and I am surmising here, he'd probably reward them