Anti- Social Behaviour or Criminal Act

The term anti-social behaviour is different things to different people. Perceptions that a group of young people on a street corner can be interpreted as just that, or a group of youngster's up to no good. Assessment of these situations is difficult and often the police are called to make a judgement on the information supplied. The thing for us is when does anti social behaviour become a criminal act.

We have been contacted several times in relation to what at first seems like ASB but on refection we thing is a criminal act, That is the throwing of objects at moving vehicles, Stones, eggs and (Snowballs during winter months)These incidents are putting lives at risk, not only to the drivers and their passengers but also innocent members of the community.

The latest incident was last night (9.30pm Tuesday 6Th April)on the Eastern transport corridor. A vehicle travelling towards the town centre was hit by several stones thrown by group of young people. The shock of the stones hitting the windscreen meant the driver braked hard, fortunately modern abs braking and experience meant the vehicle was stopped without incident. However a cracked windscreen and several marks and dents to the bodywork were the result of the stone throwing. The young people were seen running away and the police were called.

This incident will be recorded but as what Anti social behaviour,criminal damage, reckless endangerment or something else. the fact is the end result of this mindless act could have had a far more serious outcome. The difficulty is catching those responsible.

spooky sunset

 

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago. I was facinated by the strange cloud formation.

Actionable potholes

Re- earlier post on potholes.

Potholes in excess of 40mm deep are what we call an actionable defect as this is the level at which the courts see a pothole may become dangerous to road users. There are other factors which are taken in to account, such as position in the carriageway, traffic speed and traffic flows.

When marking out for safety inspections the inspectors do make a judgement on what is likely to become dangerous but this is made at the time of the inspections and potholes can develop after the inspections have taken place. The personnel carrying out the works usually highlight further areas which have not been included in the original order and make them safe.

QE College

I attended an event held at the QE College, Several councillors attended to listen to presentation from students as part of their citezenship course. Topics on ASBOs, Facilities in the Borough. Enviroment, Employment , and transport were on the agenda. I was really impressed with the work they had done and the presentations were excellent.
They put forward valid arguments for change and expressed there thought on ways for improvements around the Brough.

Thank You to the QE for the invite and Well done to all concerned

Government Departments

I contacted a government department in Falkirk (CSA) On behalf of a resident yesterday, and to try and clarify a telphone call that the resident had received from this department. Now I must say I have lots of experience with dealing with Government departments and know how difficult it is to communicate with them. But I must say I have never experienced such arrogance and jobs worth attitude before. The lady on the other end of the phone was aggresive, rude, arrogant and unprepared to explain process and procedures used by them in corresponding with residents. It it was a case of we are right you are wrong and we don not want to discuss this matter to bring it to a agreeable conclusion. Now if I with a knowledge of how things are done, can not get answers then what chance has a resident.

I have written to the the department and made a formal complaint on not just for the resident but also myself. We will have to wait and see what the outcome is.

Safer routes to school

I Joined in yesterday with Heathfield Schools grand walk to school day. This is part of the schools programme in getting children and parents out of the car and walking or cycling to school. It was a great success with most of the children and parents walking to the school. The Broadway outside the school was quite and the road calm.

However not the case at the end of the School day I took my daughter to collect Bradley and the road was chaotic. We parked well away from the school and walked to collect Bradley. Double parked cars, Vehicles on the grass verges and footpaths, Drives bloked or partially bloked, I took several photos of the road and I have had again spoken to the police and officers at the town hall. But what it really need is concideration from the vehicle owners when taking children to school,

Potholes.

One of life's great mysteries. They appear all over the place mostly unexplained. However there are times when we can put a reason behind their appearance and over the last few months we blame the weather,water seeps into the road surface and freezes.As we all know water expands when frozen, this then breaks the road surface be it Tarmac or concrete. and before we know it there,s a pothole. But this is not always the case, poor reinstatement or materials can also be the cause of potholes.

Any way while out and about yesterday the number of pothole's in and around the ward seem to have grown, especially around Lingfield Green and Teal Road. We contacted the highways department and have had assurances that work on the actionable potholes is to be undertaken shortly. We have asked what actionable means and are awaiting a reply.

We will let you know