A Community Caretaker?

I write this on Day One of 2020 as a 'Letter' to the Town Council.

I thought I ought to share this. 

Whilst not a good end to 2019 it has opportunities for 2020/21

As you probably know Nitrous Oxide in small canisters is used to get ‘high’s and has been dubbed ‘Hippie Crack’. Abuse can have serious results that may lead to disablement and, although rare, death. It certainly results in anti-social behaviours.

I first came across it in some backstreet parts of Bristol a couple of years ago but now it seems to be widespread in our own lovely town of Whitchurch.

On social media this week and directly today there were reports of discarded canisters being found at:

• Kingsley Park where a young girl tripped over one; 
• At the bench near Longs Court (I’m guessing Great Lane); 
• Around Firsway;
• Evingar Road at the entrance to Ardglen;
• At the bench by the Surgery;
• At the bench by the dog dip (Fulling Mill path);
• At the end of Bere Hill near the field entrance;
• Witan Court on path between play park and Allotments;
• At the Gill Nethercott Centre;

Plus it was said...

“A lot of drug related paraphernalia left on and around the bench at Kingsley Park most mornings”,

And...

“The bushes on the right hand side [of Kingsley Park] are also used as a toilet (evidence of human faeces).”

Given that these were all reported by a limited audience there are sure to be many other places too.

One resident said about the Kingsley Park:

“ We collected over 30 [cannisters] the other day! My Dad usually goes on an early morning walk and collects up the mess before any children get to the park. Disgusting! it makes me angry and sad!”

What do we do?

Police presence is near non-existent, the Tadley-based PCSO is rarely seen (is one in post?) and the new Basingstoke based Community Safety Patrol Officer, although welcome, has a massive area to cover.

Maybe now is the time to start seriously looking at providing services ourselves in the form of some kind of community support – a 'community caretaker' maybe with the remit of some pro-active social liaison/education responsibilities (talking/advising), along with some reactive response activity to incidents when reported (bluntly – clearing up). 

I believe our residents deserve support in this and this could be a worthwhile outlay. It may also be possible to share with other local concerned parties.

As a positive end of year message I believe this is worthy of consideration. 

How could it be progressed?

John

Cllr John Buckley

Whitchurch Town Council