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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,399
Location: Too close to Redbridge-i censorship
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This weekend sees the final departure of the Redbridge Parks Police.
The Parks Police was established to fill a void in dealing with anti-social and criminal behaviour in our parks and open spaces through the inability of the Metropolitan Police to do so. It was set up when former Councillor Mark Aaron was the Cabinet Member for Leisure, and developed by John Boylin after he retired as the Met's Borough Commander in Redbridge.
During the period of their existence the Parks Police have succeeded in reducing significantly the anti-social behaviour and vandalism in our parks and open spaces, and have turned them into places that the public can enjoy because the presence of the Police brings a feeling of safety.
The council decided (some of us would argue misguidedly) to abolish that much-valued service and to replace it with a scheme offered by the Mayor for London known as "BOGOF". And, no - that does not mean what you might think! It means Buy One Get One Free, and offers a small number of additional Metropolitan Police officers to the Borough Commander's team together with an equal number funded by the council. The scheme lasts for three years.
The total number of BOGOFs in Redbridge will be nowhere near those of the Parks Police, and they will be unable therefore to offer the same level of presence. Moreover, the Parks Police were managed and directed by the council, whereas the BOGOFs are at the disposal of the Borough Commander. With the best will in the world she cannot anticipate what demands she may face in the future to provide police officers for duties elsewhere in London, thus making the BOGOFs unavailable for park duties. That could not happen to the Parks Police, council employees who could not be diverted from their duties although, as sworn constables, they have acted in support of the Met when required.
Those redundant members of the Parks Police, some now unemployed, should know that their departure is much regretted by the public in Redbridge. I hope other members of the public in Redbridge will join me in wishing them all well for the future. Our thanks should go also to Mark Aaron and John Boylin for their contributions to the success of the scheme.
We are desperately sorry that our elected representatives - councillors - see you as worth no more than being dispensable in order to meet the cost of a political gimmick. Shame on them.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/05/2008(UTC)
Posts: 38
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Morris, I'm sure I speak on behalf of all the P.P. officers when I say that I would like to send heartfelt thanks to you, A.&T.H, B.E, G.B, and all the other people who have fought very hard to try and keep what has been an effective and much needed service, operational. Unfortunately, the decision, as you know, was not based on reasons of money or politics, but a much more personal one. I would like to think that the parks will remain a safe place to be in, but doubt this very much. They will go back to as they were 6 years ago and, in time, a replacement Council Service will probably be set up. Once again, on behalf of the Parks Police Service, MANY THANKS FOR EVERYBODYS SUPPORT.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,399
Location: Too close to Redbridge-i censorship
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Thanks Chippyweed. Let's see whether any BOGOFs are in our parks next summer when the Met will have the Herculean task of policing the Olympic junket.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,399
Location: Too close to Redbridge-i censorship
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During the last week, and since the departure of the council's Parks Police, the local press has reported two cases of dogs attacking other dogs in our parks. The first was in Clayhall Park where, sadly, the victim was killed by a much larger aggressor. The second was at Fairlop Waters where the victim required surgery. There was not a BOGOF in sight.
The first evidence that the council made a wrong decision in order to provide the funds for a political gimmick that is "guaranteed" for only 3 years and, in addition, takes officers away from SNTs. Total betrayal by the council.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/05/2008(UTC)
Posts: 38
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Just to let everyone know that the new service are currently using the same mobile phone number as the old parks police used. If you should get any problems, give them a ring and see what sort of service you get. Then, let everybody else know via Redbridge-i.
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Rank: Member
Joined: 09/07/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28
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This past weekend, in Valentines Park at around 1pm, I observed a group (about 8) of young teenagers who were basically terrorising the local wildlife near the mansion and trying to cause some damage. To my amazement, and disgust, nobody did anything to stop them. I finally confronted them over it and of course, was given a load of abuse and threats etc. It made me feel a little nervous knowing that there were no police in the park who I could quickly call on for help. When I threatned to call the police, the kids legged it out of the park very quickly. It reminded me of a few years back before we had parks police when there were groups of, mostly youngster, causing trouble, dealing drugs, drinking etc. This is why I won't use Valentines Park after about 10am. I just don't feel safe in there at all.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,399
Location: Too close to Redbridge-i censorship
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There have also been, in the first week, two cases of large/aggresive dogs attacking others. The first was in Clayhall Park and the victim dog was killed. In the second case, at Fairlop Waters, the victim underwent extensive surgery but subsequently died. Not a BOGOF in sight in either case.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,399
Location: Too close to Redbridge-i censorship
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A number of postings from this thread by Weggis, chippyweed and me have been deleted today by the moderator - allegedly for being "personal". They simply reflected experience of a particular councillor.
This kind of behaviour by Redbridge would do credit to the KGB, the STASI, Pol Pot and Mugabe.
BLATANT CENSORSHIP!
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Rank: Member
Joined: 05/04/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28
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So much for your thinking Morris, there IS something that LBR are good at, Censorship !! Delete that moderator !
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 12/12/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,023
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Please can we remind you that when using our forums, comments about Council policy are permitted but personal remarks are not. Posts were deleted by the moderator in this thread because they contained personal remarks. For your ease of reference here is a link to the terms and conditions for using the forums.Thank you Redimanager
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,399
Location: Too close to Redbridge-i censorship
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Remarks about the failure of a certain person, or persons, to be accountable to the public.
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