Posted by: Big Al, Glasgow on 10:56am Tue 24 Jun 08
Surely the logical conclusion is that if youngsters had more things to do and better facilities, anti-social crime would drop?
Surely the logical conclusion is that if youngsters had more things to do and better facilities, anti-social crime would drop?
Posted by: maxwellian, pollokshields on 11:09am Tue 24 Jun 08
Big Al, it's been tried and failed - the number of trashed community halls across the city and sports pavilions left in ashes are testament to what local youngsters really like doing with their spare time at night.
At least this way the facilities are removed to safe storage once they're finished with for the night. That must work out cheaper in the long run than forever rebuilding permanent structures which are wrecked on a regular basis.
Big Al, it's been tried and failed - the number of trashed community halls across the city and sports pavilions left in ashes are testament to what local youngsters really like doing with their spare time at night.
At least this way the facilities are removed to safe storage once they're finished with for the night. That must work out cheaper in the long run than forever rebuilding permanent structures which are wrecked on a regular basis.
Posted by: martin, Glasgow on 11:27am Tue 24 Jun 08
These mobile pitches also operate in Glasgow's south side and Inverclyde. These, as well as Operation Reclaim, received lottery funding from the Young People's Fund. I agree, to an extent with maxwellian, but it is not just about building permanent facilities, it is about putting facilities where they are needed and providing proper supervision. Too often in the past facilities have been built in poor locations and when they have been built the money has not be in place to provide the coaching and supervisor young people deserve.
These mobile pitches also operate in Glasgow's south side and Inverclyde. These, as well as Operation Reclaim, received lottery funding from the Young People's Fund. I agree, to an extent with maxwellian, but it is not just about building permanent facilities, it is about putting facilities where they are needed and providing proper supervision. Too often in the past facilities have been built in poor locations and when they have been built the money has not be in place to provide the coaching and supervisor young people deserve.
Posted by: Eric Flack, Drumchapel on 11:53am Tue 24 Jun 08
Has anyone commented on the houses/flats etc being built on former open spaces where provision is made for car parking but no thought is being given for areas where children can play? Perhaps the shiny new flats going up are not expected to be occupied by people with children. Portable football pitches are a good idea. Glasgow has been erecting "mini" play areas which seem to be getting well used by local children.
Has anyone commented on the houses/flats etc being built on former open spaces where provision is made for car parking but no thought is being given for areas where children can play? Perhaps the shiny new flats going up are not expected to be occupied by people with children. Portable football pitches are a good idea. Glasgow has been erecting "mini" play areas which seem to be getting well used by local children.
Posted by: People Power, Glasgow on 2:44pm Tue 24 Jun 08
It is not the mobile pitch itself which cuts the crime - it is the provision of structured ameneties in areas which are deprived, as Big Al says.
When areas have every stretch of their open space, blaze pitches, or grassland all built on with concrete eyesores in the name of property developers greed is it any wonder crime rates soar.
With our areas of open space, whether blaze, conrete, or grass kids end up playing footie on the streets disturbing some residents. That in turn becomes an incentive to carry on doin it.
The problem is when their anti-social behaviour spirals out of control due to gang influences, social pressures and the poverty trap. Parents who spend more time drinking, or gambling, or simply working so much they can't afford to give their kids the time they need.
Lets address the root problems of these areas, before we hail a "Mobile Pitch" as the solo solution, and crime cutter of all time.
Bring back the ameneities, community centres, and such like and give kids things to do.
As by removing them, all the council and private developers are doing is flicking that switch of whether kids potentially go off the rails.
And, who picks up the tabs - us - the council tax payers.
Perhaps if people were more aware of the availability of Res 3 money, and how to claim it they would at least be compensated for the loss of their green space.
As the City Plan defines : [italic]"This money is solely for the purpose of meeting the greenspace needs of the proposed development. It will be held in a ring-fenced account, and be spent within the catchment thresholds specified in this policy, or as close as possible to them. Any money not committed within a period of five years (unless otherwise agreed between the Council and the developer) shall be returned to the developer"[/italic]
Ultimately we must stop the loss of our remaining green space within our cities.
As just how many residential properties and units can our city sustain. Especially if it means more cars, congestion, pollution and noise, and with flats being so upmarket - often neighbours - residents keep very much to themselves, so we also end up with a divided community.
It is not the mobile pitch itself which cuts the crime - it is the provision of structured ameneties in areas which are deprived, as Big Al says.
When areas have every stretch of their open space, blaze pitches, or grassland all built on with concrete eyesores in the name of property developers greed is it any wonder crime rates soar.
With our areas of open space, whether blaze, conrete, or grass kids end up playing footie on the streets disturbing some residents. That in turn becomes an incentive to carry on doin it.
The problem is when their anti-social behaviour spirals out of control due to gang influences, social pressures and the poverty trap. Parents who spend more time drinking, or gambling, or simply working so much they can't afford to give their kids the time they need.
Lets address the root problems of these areas, before we hail a "Mobile Pitch" as the solo solution, and crime cutter of all time.
Bring back the ameneities, community centres, and such like and give kids things to do.
As by removing them, all the council and private developers are doing is flicking that switch of whether kids potentially go off the rails.
And, who picks up the tabs - us - the council tax payers.
Perhaps if people were more aware of the availability of Res 3 money, and how to claim it they would at least be compensated for the loss of their green space.
As the City Plan defines :
"This money is solely for the purpose of meeting the greenspace needs of the proposed development. It will be held in a ring-fenced account, and be spent within the catchment thresholds specified in this policy, or as close as possible to them. Any money not committed within a period of five years (unless otherwise agreed between the Council and the developer) shall be returned to the developer"
Ultimately we must stop the loss of our remaining green space within our cities.
As just how many residential properties and units can our city sustain. Especially if it means more cars, congestion, pollution and noise, and with flats being so upmarket - often neighbours - residents keep very much to themselves, so we also end up with a divided community.
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