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Sunday, 26 February 2006 |
The last meeting of the Garmouth & Kingston Amenities Committee were very distressed to learn, by both letter and word of mouth, about the increased incidents of vandalism in Garmouth.
To date these include the destruction of a bench gifted to the village, the burning of two litter bins, graffiti, and the theft of garden ornaments. Add to this the pestering by youngsters of older people to buy them cigarettes from the shop, underage drinking, (regularly) in the Park and loitering in groups round the bus shelters, and tapping on pensioners windows late at night. This does not paint an attractive picture of our community.
One resident has actually claimed that they do not feel safe walking after dark in the Station Road / Jockies Loan area of the village.
I am sure that you will all agree that this adds up to totally unacceptable social behaviour and must be brought under control.
The Police have attended some of these incidents, and have increased their patrols of the village, in particular, our community bobby Colin? And a Community Warden have been much in evidence.
The police also tell me That they have identified at least three culprits, and officers will be visiting them.
However, the question must be asked, “When your youngsters go out at night, do you know either where they are going, or what they are getting up to,”
It is not unusual to find and year olds hanging around the Park at eleven or twelve o’clock at night, sometimes with alcohol in evidence, and the abuse that they utter is unrepeatable.
It is fair to say that there is very little to do in Garmouth or Kingston if you are a youngster, and with no public transport to either Elgin or Fochabers it very often falls on parents to become taxi drivers.
Until a few years ago we had a thriving Youth club in the Hall on a Friday, in fact all the equipment is still in the store, just waiting to be used.
However it would need some community minded adults to start the ball rolling. Once such a facility is organized, I have no doubt that the young people would be capable of managing it themselves. This is a tried and tested formula which has worked very well elsewhere. Young people need to be given responsibility for there own actions, and it might as well be channeled into something that they can derive entertainment from, rather than destruction.
But it still remains the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children have a sense of Community responsibility in order that they become citizens to be respected and not feared and avoided.
Watch Members should report all incidents either to their nearest co-coordinator, or police, or even Crimestoppers. Take note of time, date, descriptions, events and pass this information on. (If you tell Crimestoppers, this is an anonymous service should you be concerned about reprisal – unless you report a major incident, when specific evidence may be required)
David Mackay
Chair, Grampian Neighbourhood Watch Association
Press Cutting
A Moray man is at the helm of a crime-busting network of volunteers working to keep comminities safe.
David MacKay from Garmouth has been appointed chairman of the new Grampian Neighbourhood Watch Association.
The Group, launched on 1st February 2006, has been set up to support existing neighbourhood watch schemes and encourage the setting up of new ones across the Grampian Police area, and is in the process of registering as a charity.
It will run training seminars and other events to allow the sharing of best practice throughout Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen.
The association website offers crime prevention and community safety tips as well as providing a place for neighbourhood watch news. Local schemes can either join the new association via the website or by calling 0797 130 9830.
The site, which is regularly updated, can be viewed at www.grampiannwa.co.uk.
Mr Mackay said” the newly formed association will allow members to share good ideas and the best practise from neighbourhood watch groups throughout Aberdeen City, Aberdeen and Moray. We have an exciting year ahead, developing the organisation and planning the first set of events “Neighbourhood watch is a simple, but very effective idea. Local people taking steps to protect and improve their own area through crime prevention measures, both in their own homes and the surrounding streets. It can often act to reinforce the sense of pride in a community, and that can’t be bad.”
The head of Grampian Police has praised the schemes for tackling crime and fear in their communities. Chief Constable Colin McKerracher added that the new association complements the Force’s community – focused policing.
He said;” The Police wholeheartedly welcome this new voluntary organisation, which is, in many ways, a partnership between police, the council and the community, and will allow neighbourhood watches throughout the whole Grampian Police are to share best practice and information.
“The role our communities can play in tackling crime and fear of crime is immensely important and this Association, working closely with our increasing numbers of community officers, will undoubtedly help keep our neighbourhoods safe.”
Among the other guests at the launch were Lord Provost of Aberdeen, John Renolds: Provost of Aberdeenshire, Raymond Bisset; Convener of Moray Council Eddie Coutts; and chairman of the Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches, Bill
Campbell.
Chris Saunderson NS
The Amenities Association and the editor wish to state that all comment is from the signatories and does not necessarily reflect the views of other parties. |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 26 February 2006 )
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