Where were we? Oh yes, what to do about anti-social rubbish dumpers who are staining the fabric of our society. I’m a believer that every problem has a solution but that it is often the lack of willingness to implement the solution that prevents improvements. What steps could be taken?
Q. More CCTV cameras?
A. It would certainly help to record and identify the perpetrators but there would have to be the presumption that the incidents would be followed up. Too expensive and perhaps smacking too much of Big Brother? Fors and against.
Q. Bigger fines?
A. If you can’t identify the culprits you can’t fine them.
Q. Neighbours to get together and report incidents.
A. Nobody likes a snitch. Does neighbourhood watch work?
Q. Improve social awareness?
A. This starts with adults who need to pass this onto their children and the younger generation but it’s the adults who are causing the problem in the first place.
Some years ago I visited relatives who live in a small town called Altoona in Pennsylvania, USA. They instituted a voluntary system whereby each classroom of children had a designated area of the town and designated dates to go out as a group and pick up litter. In this way they learnt that dropping litter was frowned upon by their elders. The children were supervised by volunteers of both teachers and parents and as a result the town was spotless.
Would it work here? It needs the adult population to get on board and politicians to think outside the box. No hope then.
Gripe over.
On a cheerier note, I had a telephone call early this morning from Kylie Minogue who asked me to have dinner with her one evening. Obviously I said yes but I made it clear I do not kiss on a first date. She was a bit pouty about this but I’ve got principles and stood firm. What a bad time to wake up. If you’re reading this blog, Kylie, I was joking about first date kissing.
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Hi Terry,
ReplyDeleteThe rubbish is terrible. People seem to think that a public building means it will be tidied. Richmond has a worse problem - I expect due to the park.i have asked the manor about cameras but getting the electrics right with a listed building is not easy.
I do sometimes report but don’t know who does the dumping. LBBD does fine and posts videos to find the culprits. https://youtu.be/TOXEHPrmFbE?si=f5fVqI7ZhdHF0IaV
There are groups that do rubbish picking like Roding Rubbish. I’ve joined them in Mayesbrook Park and along the river.
We could go raise it with our councillors when they have their next surgery.
Hope your date with Kylie goes well.
Tanya