Porty Police Station to close at night?

[Guest]

I'm sure most of you have probably read this story by now. Rumours have been circulating for a while. If not, you will find it at:



We hope to cover the issue and get some local reaction up on the website this weekend. Until then I am sure this will be a hot topic on the board. Look fwd to your comments and remember to vote on the poll above.

[Susan]

I don't think the Police Station should be closed at night.

Given all the negative comments displayed elsewhere in this discussion forum it would appear that an increased Police presence in Portobello is needed - not closure of the station.

The article in tonight's Evening News reads "the move to close stations at night is primarily to deal with changes in shift patterns for control room and front desk staff who claim they feel vulnerable, according to Police sources."

The public feel vulnerable too and they don't have the comfort of inhouse police officers.

There have always been issues about youths gathering in Portobello.
Saltmans window was a favourite place in the late 70's.
The sheds on the Prom were popular in the 80's.
The seating outside the Bank of Scotland, Town Hall and Police Station have always been popular youth spots too. The groups that gathered there were known to and by the Police in the area and were moved if they became troublesome to the rest of the public.
Unfortunately, the new tolerance of youth bad behavior has turned these groups into disrespectful louts who intimidate other people, and they know they are getting away with it because they don't see the same officer twice. Softly, softly isn't working in Portobello. Look around on a Saturday evening.

Maybe Police modernisation sounds good but when an officer from Portobello is sent to Penicuik to attend, then the counterpart from Penicuik is next officer free and he has to come to deal with a call in Portobello maybe the scheme is wrong.

Everyone bangs on about tackling crime - especially in the recent elections. Perhaps it is time to look back and see why these problems weren't so bad in the past.
There was a time when I knew all the beat officers on the High Street and Promenade, I saw them every day. I knew them by name. They were part of the community in which I live and work.

Today, I know none.

Susan

[Susan]

Bob,

Can you tell us how to vote on the poll?

Bet it is really easy but I can't figure it out!

Thanks.

Susan.

[Guest]

Susan

Firstly, thanks for your contribution to the forum so far. Your post on the 'Grannies Attic' site has generated a huge amount of interest.

The reason you are unable to vote is that as a guest you presently have restricted rights on the board. Some features, such as polls, are only available to registered users. To access these additional features all you have to do is register. Registering is easy and should only take a minute or two. Just click on the appropriate icon above and fill in a few details.

Re. the Evening News article, I thought the most amusing comment came from the Police spokesperson:

"They complain that they can’t get on with their work at night because they have to man the front counters."

And err, what work would this be that is more important than dealing with a member of the public trying to report a crime? It's a bit like a supermarket manager saying the job would be a lot easier if customers would only stop coming in and taking things off the shelves! Dealing face to face with the public (however difficult that may be at times) is a core funtion of the Police and I hope and expect that local people and politicians will strongly resist any attempt to introduce this half-baked plan.


I would also like to make it quite clear that, as an employee of L&B Police, any comments I make on this board are as a private citizen.

[Susan]

Hi Bob,

Did the register bit - still can't find the voting bit!

Susan

[Susan]

[Guest]

[Guest]

Quick update on this. You will be interested to hear that the community sergeant, addressing the most recent meeting of Portobello Community Council, has stated that the closure of Portobello Police Station overnight (if and when this occurs) "would not make one iota of difference" to the service provided. I'm sure he won't mind me quoting him on this since it was a minuted meeting and he did repeat it more than once. I have no comment to make on this but I expect some of you will.

[kevw]