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]

Surely if we're getting tough on crime have to get tough on all crime.

No, I disagree.

You seem in favour of locking or restricting the movement of some elements of society.

Yes

Would you be in favour of locking those up caught speeding for example?

No

I don't think this is true of Newbury

Recently a gun was found dumped in Newbury. Also; talking to a police officer awhile back I was told that an element do have weapons in Newbury. What those weapons were he didn’t actually say.

[user23]

A lot have knives. (the quote was "armed")

I think it was fairly obvious we were talking about guns. Do most criminals in Newbury have guns, yes or no?

Recently a gun was found dumped in Newbury. Also; talking to a police officer awhile back I was told that an element do have weapons in Newbury. What those weapons were he didn’t actually say.

One gun, is that is?

Speeding is anti-social and is far more likely to result in a death, why wouldn't you lock up them up?

This is the problem when you start to pull apart the arguments of those who say we should get tough on crime. At some point in the debate they always say "well, I didn't mean get tough on THAT sort of crime, on THOSE sort of people." and their double standards are exposed.

If you're going to get tough on crime you need to get tough on all crime. Remember, justice supposed to be blind.

[Biker1]

I think it was fairly obvious we were talking about guns. Do most criminals in Newbury have guns, yes or no?One gun, is that is?

OK most - no. but more than you would think probably have. Anyway what is this obsession with guns?

Speeding is anti-social and is far more likely to result in a death, why wouldn't you lock up them up?

They are if they go fast enough or are persistent offenders.

Speeders are already targetted more than most violent armed criminals.

[user23]

They are if they go fast enough or are persistent offenders.

Speeders are already targetted more than most violent armed criminals.

Shouldn't we be getting tough on all offenders though, if we're going to crack down on criminals?

What sort of message does getting tough on offenders that we can't empathise with send out?

[Biker1]

What sort of message does getting tough on offenders that we can't empathise with send out?

Huh?