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Premium member Presentation Transcript Seafield Rd, Hove : March 2010 1 Seafield Rd, Hove The Grim Reality A Resident's View TMF #3 TMF #7 A Vicious Cycle of Feeding Ones Own Demise : March 2010 2 Hard-working, law-abiding, peaceful residents pay lots of taxes, including council tax Council tax used to fund a private business to generate income by providing temporary housing to people with social, mental and legal issues People with social, mental and legal issues engage in antisocial behaviour and, at times, crime This behaviour and associated activities results in disturbance and discomfort, financial loss, threat, distress, loss of sleep etc….. to the hard-working, law-abiding, peaceful residents Residents suffering distressed & powerless A Vicious Cycle of Feeding Ones Own Demise £200,000 per year to TMF Our Hell Slide 3: March 2010 3 The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 4 The Reality…What the Residents Say The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 5 The Reality…What the Residents Say “I find the screaming and breaking of glass in the early hours alarming and I wake up frightened with a pounding chest” “ I don’t like being called a c**t when I refuse to give change to J***y of #7 when she wants cider and pesters me when I leave my door” “ We have had 2 meetings with TMF, police and others and the issue of lack of doorbells on #3 and #7 was raised both times… yet there are still no door bell…. So simple, but it is just disregarded…people still yell from the street” “The value of my property is seriously compromised because of these premises… the estate agents told me so and now I am stuck” “I have lost count of the number of times may car or my house has been vandalized over the years” “I am embarrassed to have people visit or to stay… I always have to warn them about the possibilities of abuse, violence, disturbance” The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 6 The Reality…What the Residents Say I have been woken up by door hammering, screaming, shouting, swearing, fights, loud music, glass breaking, and items being thrown at the adjoining wall, frequently, over the years. I have lived in my flat for 24 years, and do not have a hope in hell of selling…At no point was I ever informed about change of use of the premises, from standard rented accommodation to half-way house. I have been asked in the street for money, cigarettes, and cigarette papers, and once, when I was slightly sarcastic to two residents of no.3, who were sitting on the steps of no.6, had eggs thrown at my windows. I have had to purchase a flying insect killer, due to the amount of flies that were breeding in the back garden of no.7. Most summers I cannot leave windows open due to the noise of the gatherings outside no.7 that persist until the early hours. I frequently have to walk through the rubbish strewn over the pavement outside no.7, which has often included soiled tampons and soiled nappies. On occasions, there has been spates of glass jars hurled from upper windows to smash on the pavement. I have often swept these up myself, mindful of the amount of dogs and children that use this road. I am also aware that these halfway houses are run as a business. People are profiting from our misery. Many of the residents need to be in sheltered accommodation, not left to their own devices. Others were evicted from their housing for antisocial behaviour... so why do we have to put up with it? The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 7 The Reality…What the Residents Say in ground floor room at no.7 young man shouting violently, abusively at young girl (possibly a girlfriend) completely out of control, she begging him not to hit her, his social worker called and begged by the girl not to call police as “this time he will be put away” – 2am weekday young woman housed on ground floor at no.7 being verbally abused as a slut, whore, bitch, teasing cunt because she wouldn’t sleep with a guy who turned up – Saturday afternoon same young woman throwing out new inmate at no.7 who is extremely drunk and abusive, he is then beaten in middle of the road outside my house by another inmate of no.7 (Anthony) and one of the children from the children’s home, chased away then his belongings set on fire next to my car – I phoned police to ask if there was anyone on route to the incident told yes but had to recall them as no-one turned up at which point I was asked if it was over and did they really need to send someone, told them someone needed to put the fire out they sent a car with a fire extinguisher – lost my faith in dialling 999 emergency number – 10pm Saturday night same evening residents of basement flat at no.7 mother with teenage daughter and small child, teenage daughter and friend and Anthony had witnessed me calling police about incident and attempted to slash my tyres didn’t accomplish it – but I did feel safer putting car in garage until they moved – 2-3am Sunday 2 men trying to get someone’s attention at no.7 throwing stones at windows to get attention, asked them to stop it as the stones were bouncing across towards my house told to “fuck off none you your business” – Saturday afternoon Ground floor room at no.7 man smashes window, breaks it then starts wrecking his room in a fit of temper, very disturbing, police turn up and accuse my neighbour, who had complained about his strange behaviour, as aggravating the situation – he had followed me twice begging for money – I would have to question his state of mind! 10 – 11pm weekday I would class the above as extreme, the constant continual ‘events’ are breaking of glass which I can only assume is someone throwing bottles out of a window at no. 7 in middle of night, banging on doors of 3 or 7 or children’s home, for some odd reason there was someone shouting and banging on door of children’s home this week about 3am on either Sunday or Monday, I now know the sound of each noise and where it comes from as its imprinted on my brain! Jacqui’s (inmate at no.7) drunken need to get in when she has forgotten her keys can go on for hours, Donna’s (inmate at no.3) aggressive swearing outbursts when she hates the world at any time of day and night, she likes to kick things, dodgy dealing outside the Youth Hostel that seems to be an acceptable norm now and the deal when they opened was controlled noise and none after 9pm!!! I have lived with this now for 5 years and at no point think this is acceptable, I bought my house because I love where it is, I love living in it, its near the seafront which I adore I accept there is a level of noise living in an environment so close to the social element of this town, in fact it adds to its character, I also accept the eclectic mix of characters, but I do have a problem when the governing bodies who oversee these issues and the people involved are not taking responsibility to ensure that we, the residents who live here all the time, who invest in the area, who have pride in our own environment and act within the law do not have to accept this as the norm and feel that something is being done to resolve this or rid us of it. The reality…. one person’s experience ad verbatim The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 8 The Reality…What the Residents Say I live directly next door on the ground floor level to No 7...the constant shouting, swearing, banging on the door late at night, visits from 'ex residents, loud music, disgusting garden & endless calls to Derek & the police just make me feel deflated & let down by the entire system. These people clearly need help. I work with homeless people & most do not suffer with the mental health these people do. Its like they've been 'dumped' there with no where else to go or "no where else will take them" as ive been told before. Going to sleep some nights is like actually having a room in a mental hospital, with the whaling & whining & shouting. Its enough to make a sane person lose their mind! I appreciate the police/council are putting together 'strategies' & people are moved on if they are that bad, but someone else just moves in & the cycle just starts all over again. Ive watched huge amounts of people come & go from downstairs (basement) because of it-sick & tired of being woken at 3,4,5am, Sunday, Mondays (these seem to be the worse days!). I'm trapped here, I can't sell, its very hard to rent for a good enough price to pay my mortgage (would YOU want to rent a flat next door to this?) and so I just have to get on with it. Week after week, day after day.I’m tired of complaining, Im tired of calling & reporting & I’m tired of being stuck & unhappy in my own home that I’ve worked so hard for. I envy my friends who have nice flats in nice roads just 2 mins from here.Seafield Rd used to be a nice place to live. Now its disgusting & I’m ashamed to even be here. The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 9 The Reality…What the Residents Say Being woken up at 3 in the morning due to somebody standing outside #7 shouting that they have lost their keys and will somebody let them in, this goes on until somebody lets them in. trying to get back to sleep is very difficult when angry. The company that runs #3 & #7 is making a profit out of the misery they are causing to the residents of Seafield Road. Hating not being able to have windows open during hot weather due to noise from #7 (people out side smoking chatting, using mobiles, sitting on steps of #7 basement.) Hating coming home to find group from #7, #3 or children’s home sitting on steps of #6 smoking and having to move them on to taunts and abuse. The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 10 The Reality…What the Residents Say Been disturbed numerous times in the middle of the night by shouting/banging/ foul language coming from both 5 and 7 Seafield. (Ongoing) Had the bonnet of my car and side panels dented after parking it in one of the spaces adjacent to the garages. (it is common for the children from the home to sit on the walls by these spaces and put their feet up on the cars!!( Summer 09)) Found a resident from the children’s home in my back garden looking through the patio doors after climbing over the garages to get a lost football. (Summer 09.) After each incident, I have contacted the relevant owners to put forward my complaint. I did not contact the police, as had no firm evidence; however, after reading your comms, every incident will now be reported to the police. As you may be aware however, I am here so infrequently, I may not be aware of all the incidents that go on. I am concerned however, about the oncoming summer months, as if anything in previous years is to go by, it is going to be quite disturbing when those offending residents spill out onto the street for the entire night causing misery to other residents. I am also concerned that a new police report today (ITV news 11th March) confirmed that only 1 in 4 of calls regarding anti social behaviour are acted upon by the police, and that they rarely keep records of complaints made regarding anti social behaviour. Have you had any feedback from the police regarding this as it doesn’t instil much faith in my local police force? The Reality… £££…Financial Implications : March 2010 11 The Reality… £££…Financial Implications Laura Howard11.02.10 The Council Fails Us : March 2010 12 The Council Fails Us The council is totally empowered yet refuses to make the changes needed to spare us this misery The Council Fails Us (I) : March 2010 13 The Council Fails Us (I) In this road we endure the following from council-sponsored activity: Sporadic but repetitive and continual incidents of antisocial behaviour (ASB) and crime from a diverse range of residents (usually from #3 & #7) Yelling, screaming and swearing on the street and from inside the premises Drunkenness Door kicking with all of the above Abuse on the street to residents … “ f**k off”, “c**t”, “nigger” Remonstration from seriously mentally ill people who should be in hospitals Smashing windows and flying objects coming from them Glass bottles being thrown from windows onto the street Fire alarms that ring persistently because council tenants cannot turn them off Used tampons and soiled nappies on the street Blue bottle flies because of rotting rubbish in the backyard that precludes neighbours opening their windows in hot weather Vandalism to personal property, including cars… expensive Syringes in gardens Pizza delivery late at night that was not ordered Drug dealing Properties are either unsaleable or, are much devalued because of the problems… WE ARE OUT OF POCKET The Council Fails Us (II) : March 2010 14 The Council Fails Us (II) Council fails to prioritize residents needs Apologies from both councillors at both police meetings so far AND no subsequent attempt at follow up with any of us (Jan Young, Averil Older are the councillors) No signs of acknowledgement of the residents who suffer from anyone in a meaningful position of authority in the council Lack of representation from key departments and senior decision makers at community meetings ASB case worker (2 mtg), environmental health (1 mtg), childrens services (1 mtg) NO representation from licensing/planning, housing, social services, mental health departments etc… other groups with relevant involvement or powers to actually make a difference to policy, procedures, regulations AND OUR SUFFERING NO representation from senior management.. Where is the CEO… does he care?? Failure for emails to be responded to meaningfully within 2 days (as per the website “promise”) “Inappropriate or lazy” responses to FOI requests.. So disrespectful NO apparent attempts by ANY council personnel to systematically gather information from, nor gauge opinion from, residents despite supposed awareness and “sympathy” with our demise No provision for residents to have council tax refunded even thought the council afflicts us Spends £200,000 per year with TMF to provide squalid housing to a few (max 10 at any time?) needy/ill people who have no supervision and who make our lives Hell The Council Fails Us (III) : March 2010 15 The Council Fails Us (III) Council does not appear to have necessary regulations and safeguards in place to prevent recurring and persistent ASB ASB “prevention” strategy makes no mention of dealing with people placed in temporary housing or targeting the impact such people have on local residents None of the criteria for selecting people to be placed in #3 and #7 appear to include any validated risk assessment for the likelihood to commit ASB nor an assessment of the potential impact of their behaviours on neighbouring residents There is no evidence in the public domain to suggest that consulting neighbouring residents on the placement of people in temporary accommodation is considered by the council Info on HMO licensing conditions awaited ASB prevention strategy requested from council several times… no acknowledgement or response The Council Fails Us (IV)The “Myths”…. : March 2010 16 The Council Fails Us (IV)The “Myths”…. Case Study - Seafield Road Seafield is a road containing a children’s home and two premises of temporary accommodation, used mainly to place young people who have left local authority care or have become homeless for other reasons. The road was known for occasional minor issues of young people causing nuisance. Fairly suddenly, however, these issues escalated to major concerns, involving not just (or even primarily) residents but also ex-residents and visitors, mainly young people between 16 and 22. There was shouting and other noise, criminal damage, and drinking. Robberies, burglaries and assaults in the area were thought to be related…. ETC http://www.safeinthecity.info/?q=priorities/asb No mention of us the neighbours who suffer… lose sleep, awake frightened, cannot sell our homes, cannot live happily in our homes… Cheap, unverified, propaganda… at our expense The Council Fails Us (V) : March 2010 17 The Council Fails Us (V) Brighton and Hove council completely fails to fulfil fiduciary duties to us … the residents of Seafield Rd and nearby Council has contemptuous attitude towards the residents of Seafield Rd.. We are powerless, insignificant, and irrelevant… Until we are “truly engaged” and have MEANINGFUL INPUT on changing our dismal circumstances we should be entitled to a refund of our council tax Who is on our side??? Council elected reps??... Where are they?? Council officials???... Where are they.. The ones with power to effect change?? Member of parliament… and parliament itself ?? County council…????? If not, why not…. Why do our representatives and civil servants not want to be proactive in preventing these problems… why are they not on our side??? They have had lots, and lots of information and been copied on many communications over the years… many years WE ARE VICTIMS…. The council spends £200,000 year to sponsor our affliction How dare the council treat us with such contempt Empower Residents & Make Fundamental Changes : March 2010 18 Empower Residents & Make Fundamental Changes NOW!!!!!! Global, Enduring and Robust ASB Prevention Strategy Needed to Stop Residents Suffering… Suggestions : March 2010 19 Global, Enduring and Robust ASB Prevention Strategy Needed to Stop Residents Suffering… Suggestions Withdraw the licence for TMF to provide temporary housing There are many ordinary people in standard rented accommodation on the street and they cause no problems whatsoever Convert the premises to ordinary, self-contained, rental flats No business has an inalienable right to operate to the benefit of the few but with ongoing detriment to many Close the premises for 50% of the time, ideally in the summer…. This would at least halve our demise and we could enjoy the summer Install a full-time, 24 hour warden/supervisor Most of the trouble happens at night Even if there were outbursts we would know someone was dealing with it and we would feel more secure Many have serious mental illness and should be supervised anyway… not just thrust into the community from hospital with no apparent ongoing support Rigorously evaluate all potential candidates and do not accept those who do not meet specific criteria or commit to uphold stated standards of behaviour Involve residents in selection (as is done with co-ops in the USA) See example of an algorithmic approach following Zero tolerance of people who do not uphold the stated standards of behaviour One strike and you are out! Ameliorating Residents’ Suffering:Algorithmic Approach to Residential Placements at #7 & #3 Seafield Rd : March 2010 20 Ameliorating Residents’ Suffering:Algorithmic Approach to Residential Placements at #7 & #3 Seafield Rd 1. ASB risk assessment of potential candidates 2. Endorsement panel interview Low risk NO placement Not low risk 3. Expectation briefing of candidate NO placement Not accepted 4. Candidate accepted Unwilling to adhere 6. Provisional placement NO placement Unwilling to adhere 5. Willing to comply with ongoing evaluation Further information re algorithmic approach : March 2010 21 Further information re algorithmic approach 100 Fridge Magnets Distributed : March 2010 22 100 Fridge Magnets Distributed You do not have the permission to view this presentation. In order to view it, please contact the author of the presentation.
seafield rd hove hell janetbray Download Post to : URL : Related Presentations : Share Add to Flag Embed Email Uploaded from authorPOINT lite Insert YouTube videos in PowerPont slides with aS Desktop Copy embed code: (To copy code, click on the text box) Embed: URL: Thumbnail: The presentation is successfully added In Your Favorites. Views: 85 Category: News & Reports.. License: All Rights Reserved Like it (0) Dislike it (0) Added: September 26, 2010 This Presentation is Private Favorites: 0 Presentation Description Council created, funded and perpetuated. Comments Posting comment... Premium member Presentation Transcript Seafield Rd, Hove : March 2010 1 Seafield Rd, Hove The Grim Reality A Resident's View TMF #3 TMF #7 A Vicious Cycle of Feeding Ones Own Demise : March 2010 2 Hard-working, law-abiding, peaceful residents pay lots of taxes, including council tax Council tax used to fund a private business to generate income by providing temporary housing to people with social, mental and legal issues People with social, mental and legal issues engage in antisocial behaviour and, at times, crime This behaviour and associated activities results in disturbance and discomfort, financial loss, threat, distress, loss of sleep etc….. to the hard-working, law-abiding, peaceful residents Residents suffering distressed & powerless A Vicious Cycle of Feeding Ones Own Demise £200,000 per year to TMF Our Hell Slide 3: March 2010 3 The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 4 The Reality…What the Residents Say The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 5 The Reality…What the Residents Say “I find the screaming and breaking of glass in the early hours alarming and I wake up frightened with a pounding chest” “ I don’t like being called a c**t when I refuse to give change to J***y of #7 when she wants cider and pesters me when I leave my door” “ We have had 2 meetings with TMF, police and others and the issue of lack of doorbells on #3 and #7 was raised both times… yet there are still no door bell…. So simple, but it is just disregarded…people still yell from the street” “The value of my property is seriously compromised because of these premises… the estate agents told me so and now I am stuck” “I have lost count of the number of times may car or my house has been vandalized over the years” “I am embarrassed to have people visit or to stay… I always have to warn them about the possibilities of abuse, violence, disturbance” The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 6 The Reality…What the Residents Say I have been woken up by door hammering, screaming, shouting, swearing, fights, loud music, glass breaking, and items being thrown at the adjoining wall, frequently, over the years. I have lived in my flat for 24 years, and do not have a hope in hell of selling…At no point was I ever informed about change of use of the premises, from standard rented accommodation to half-way house. I have been asked in the street for money, cigarettes, and cigarette papers, and once, when I was slightly sarcastic to two residents of no.3, who were sitting on the steps of no.6, had eggs thrown at my windows. I have had to purchase a flying insect killer, due to the amount of flies that were breeding in the back garden of no.7. Most summers I cannot leave windows open due to the noise of the gatherings outside no.7 that persist until the early hours. I frequently have to walk through the rubbish strewn over the pavement outside no.7, which has often included soiled tampons and soiled nappies. On occasions, there has been spates of glass jars hurled from upper windows to smash on the pavement. I have often swept these up myself, mindful of the amount of dogs and children that use this road. I am also aware that these halfway houses are run as a business. People are profiting from our misery. Many of the residents need to be in sheltered accommodation, not left to their own devices. Others were evicted from their housing for antisocial behaviour... so why do we have to put up with it? The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 7 The Reality…What the Residents Say in ground floor room at no.7 young man shouting violently, abusively at young girl (possibly a girlfriend) completely out of control, she begging him not to hit her, his social worker called and begged by the girl not to call police as “this time he will be put away” – 2am weekday young woman housed on ground floor at no.7 being verbally abused as a slut, whore, bitch, teasing cunt because she wouldn’t sleep with a guy who turned up – Saturday afternoon same young woman throwing out new inmate at no.7 who is extremely drunk and abusive, he is then beaten in middle of the road outside my house by another inmate of no.7 (Anthony) and one of the children from the children’s home, chased away then his belongings set on fire next to my car – I phoned police to ask if there was anyone on route to the incident told yes but had to recall them as no-one turned up at which point I was asked if it was over and did they really need to send someone, told them someone needed to put the fire out they sent a car with a fire extinguisher – lost my faith in dialling 999 emergency number – 10pm Saturday night same evening residents of basement flat at no.7 mother with teenage daughter and small child, teenage daughter and friend and Anthony had witnessed me calling police about incident and attempted to slash my tyres didn’t accomplish it – but I did feel safer putting car in garage until they moved – 2-3am Sunday 2 men trying to get someone’s attention at no.7 throwing stones at windows to get attention, asked them to stop it as the stones were bouncing across towards my house told to “fuck off none you your business” – Saturday afternoon Ground floor room at no.7 man smashes window, breaks it then starts wrecking his room in a fit of temper, very disturbing, police turn up and accuse my neighbour, who had complained about his strange behaviour, as aggravating the situation – he had followed me twice begging for money – I would have to question his state of mind! 10 – 11pm weekday I would class the above as extreme, the constant continual ‘events’ are breaking of glass which I can only assume is someone throwing bottles out of a window at no. 7 in middle of night, banging on doors of 3 or 7 or children’s home, for some odd reason there was someone shouting and banging on door of children’s home this week about 3am on either Sunday or Monday, I now know the sound of each noise and where it comes from as its imprinted on my brain! Jacqui’s (inmate at no.7) drunken need to get in when she has forgotten her keys can go on for hours, Donna’s (inmate at no.3) aggressive swearing outbursts when she hates the world at any time of day and night, she likes to kick things, dodgy dealing outside the Youth Hostel that seems to be an acceptable norm now and the deal when they opened was controlled noise and none after 9pm!!! I have lived with this now for 5 years and at no point think this is acceptable, I bought my house because I love where it is, I love living in it, its near the seafront which I adore I accept there is a level of noise living in an environment so close to the social element of this town, in fact it adds to its character, I also accept the eclectic mix of characters, but I do have a problem when the governing bodies who oversee these issues and the people involved are not taking responsibility to ensure that we, the residents who live here all the time, who invest in the area, who have pride in our own environment and act within the law do not have to accept this as the norm and feel that something is being done to resolve this or rid us of it. The reality…. one person’s experience ad verbatim The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 8 The Reality…What the Residents Say I live directly next door on the ground floor level to No 7...the constant shouting, swearing, banging on the door late at night, visits from 'ex residents, loud music, disgusting garden & endless calls to Derek & the police just make me feel deflated & let down by the entire system. These people clearly need help. I work with homeless people & most do not suffer with the mental health these people do. Its like they've been 'dumped' there with no where else to go or "no where else will take them" as ive been told before. Going to sleep some nights is like actually having a room in a mental hospital, with the whaling & whining & shouting. Its enough to make a sane person lose their mind! I appreciate the police/council are putting together 'strategies' & people are moved on if they are that bad, but someone else just moves in & the cycle just starts all over again. Ive watched huge amounts of people come & go from downstairs (basement) because of it-sick & tired of being woken at 3,4,5am, Sunday, Mondays (these seem to be the worse days!). I'm trapped here, I can't sell, its very hard to rent for a good enough price to pay my mortgage (would YOU want to rent a flat next door to this?) and so I just have to get on with it. Week after week, day after day.I’m tired of complaining, Im tired of calling & reporting & I’m tired of being stuck & unhappy in my own home that I’ve worked so hard for. I envy my friends who have nice flats in nice roads just 2 mins from here.Seafield Rd used to be a nice place to live. Now its disgusting & I’m ashamed to even be here. The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 9 The Reality…What the Residents Say Being woken up at 3 in the morning due to somebody standing outside #7 shouting that they have lost their keys and will somebody let them in, this goes on until somebody lets them in. trying to get back to sleep is very difficult when angry. The company that runs #3 & #7 is making a profit out of the misery they are causing to the residents of Seafield Road. Hating not being able to have windows open during hot weather due to noise from #7 (people out side smoking chatting, using mobiles, sitting on steps of #7 basement.) Hating coming home to find group from #7, #3 or children’s home sitting on steps of #6 smoking and having to move them on to taunts and abuse. The Reality…What the Residents Say : March 2010 10 The Reality…What the Residents Say Been disturbed numerous times in the middle of the night by shouting/banging/ foul language coming from both 5 and 7 Seafield. (Ongoing) Had the bonnet of my car and side panels dented after parking it in one of the spaces adjacent to the garages. (it is common for the children from the home to sit on the walls by these spaces and put their feet up on the cars!!( Summer 09)) Found a resident from the children’s home in my back garden looking through the patio doors after climbing over the garages to get a lost football. (Summer 09.) After each incident, I have contacted the relevant owners to put forward my complaint. I did not contact the police, as had no firm evidence; however, after reading your comms, every incident will now be reported to the police. As you may be aware however, I am here so infrequently, I may not be aware of all the incidents that go on. I am concerned however, about the oncoming summer months, as if anything in previous years is to go by, it is going to be quite disturbing when those offending residents spill out onto the street for the entire night causing misery to other residents. I am also concerned that a new police report today (ITV news 11th March) confirmed that only 1 in 4 of calls regarding anti social behaviour are acted upon by the police, and that they rarely keep records of complaints made regarding anti social behaviour. Have you had any feedback from the police regarding this as it doesn’t instil much faith in my local police force? The Reality… £££…Financial Implications : March 2010 11 The Reality… £££…Financial Implications Laura Howard11.02.10 The Council Fails Us : March 2010 12 The Council Fails Us The council is totally empowered yet refuses to make the changes needed to spare us this misery The Council Fails Us (I) : March 2010 13 The Council Fails Us (I) In this road we endure the following from council-sponsored activity: Sporadic but repetitive and continual incidents of antisocial behaviour (ASB) and crime from a diverse range of residents (usually from #3 & #7) Yelling, screaming and swearing on the street and from inside the premises Drunkenness Door kicking with all of the above Abuse on the street to residents … “ f**k off”, “c**t”, “nigger” Remonstration from seriously mentally ill people who should be in hospitals Smashing windows and flying objects coming from them Glass bottles being thrown from windows onto the street Fire alarms that ring persistently because council tenants cannot turn them off Used tampons and soiled nappies on the street Blue bottle flies because of rotting rubbish in the backyard that precludes neighbours opening their windows in hot weather Vandalism to personal property, including cars… expensive Syringes in gardens Pizza delivery late at night that was not ordered Drug dealing Properties are either unsaleable or, are much devalued because of the problems… WE ARE OUT OF POCKET The Council Fails Us (II) : March 2010 14 The Council Fails Us (II) Council fails to prioritize residents needs Apologies from both councillors at both police meetings so far AND no subsequent attempt at follow up with any of us (Jan Young, Averil Older are the councillors) No signs of acknowledgement of the residents who suffer from anyone in a meaningful position of authority in the council Lack of representation from key departments and senior decision makers at community meetings ASB case worker (2 mtg), environmental health (1 mtg), childrens services (1 mtg) NO representation from licensing/planning, housing, social services, mental health departments etc… other groups with relevant involvement or powers to actually make a difference to policy, procedures, regulations AND OUR SUFFERING NO representation from senior management.. Where is the CEO… does he care?? Failure for emails to be responded to meaningfully within 2 days (as per the website “promise”) “Inappropriate or lazy” responses to FOI requests.. So disrespectful NO apparent attempts by ANY council personnel to systematically gather information from, nor gauge opinion from, residents despite supposed awareness and “sympathy” with our demise No provision for residents to have council tax refunded even thought the council afflicts us Spends £200,000 per year with TMF to provide squalid housing to a few (max 10 at any time?) needy/ill people who have no supervision and who make our lives Hell The Council Fails Us (III) : March 2010 15 The Council Fails Us (III) Council does not appear to have necessary regulations and safeguards in place to prevent recurring and persistent ASB ASB “prevention” strategy makes no mention of dealing with people placed in temporary housing or targeting the impact such people have on local residents None of the criteria for selecting people to be placed in #3 and #7 appear to include any validated risk assessment for the likelihood to commit ASB nor an assessment of the potential impact of their behaviours on neighbouring residents There is no evidence in the public domain to suggest that consulting neighbouring residents on the placement of people in temporary accommodation is considered by the council Info on HMO licensing conditions awaited ASB prevention strategy requested from council several times… no acknowledgement or response The Council Fails Us (IV)The “Myths”…. : March 2010 16 The Council Fails Us (IV)The “Myths”…. Case Study - Seafield Road Seafield is a road containing a children’s home and two premises of temporary accommodation, used mainly to place young people who have left local authority care or have become homeless for other reasons. The road was known for occasional minor issues of young people causing nuisance. Fairly suddenly, however, these issues escalated to major concerns, involving not just (or even primarily) residents but also ex-residents and visitors, mainly young people between 16 and 22. There was shouting and other noise, criminal damage, and drinking. Robberies, burglaries and assaults in the area were thought to be related…. ETC http://www.safeinthecity.info/?q=priorities/asb No mention of us the neighbours who suffer… lose sleep, awake frightened, cannot sell our homes, cannot live happily in our homes… Cheap, unverified, propaganda… at our expense The Council Fails Us (V) : March 2010 17 The Council Fails Us (V) Brighton and Hove council completely fails to fulfil fiduciary duties to us … the residents of Seafield Rd and nearby Council has contemptuous attitude towards the residents of Seafield Rd.. We are powerless, insignificant, and irrelevant… Until we are “truly engaged” and have MEANINGFUL INPUT on changing our dismal circumstances we should be entitled to a refund of our council tax Who is on our side??? Council elected reps??... Where are they?? Council officials???... Where are they.. The ones with power to effect change?? Member of parliament… and parliament itself ?? County council…????? If not, why not…. Why do our representatives and civil servants not want to be proactive in preventing these problems… why are they not on our side??? They have had lots, and lots of information and been copied on many communications over the years… many years WE ARE VICTIMS…. The council spends £200,000 year to sponsor our affliction How dare the council treat us with such contempt Empower Residents & Make Fundamental Changes : March 2010 18 Empower Residents & Make Fundamental Changes NOW!!!!!! Global, Enduring and Robust ASB Prevention Strategy Needed to Stop Residents Suffering… Suggestions : March 2010 19 Global, Enduring and Robust ASB Prevention Strategy Needed to Stop Residents Suffering… Suggestions Withdraw the licence for TMF to provide temporary housing There are many ordinary people in standard rented accommodation on the street and they cause no problems whatsoever Convert the premises to ordinary, self-contained, rental flats No business has an inalienable right to operate to the benefit of the few but with ongoing detriment to many Close the premises for 50% of the time, ideally in the summer…. This would at least halve our demise and we could enjoy the summer Install a full-time, 24 hour warden/supervisor Most of the trouble happens at night Even if there were outbursts we would know someone was dealing with it and we would feel more secure Many have serious mental illness and should be supervised anyway… not just thrust into the community from hospital with no apparent ongoing support Rigorously evaluate all potential candidates and do not accept those who do not meet specific criteria or commit to uphold stated standards of behaviour Involve residents in selection (as is done with co-ops in the USA) See example of an algorithmic approach following Zero tolerance of people who do not uphold the stated standards of behaviour One strike and you are out! Ameliorating Residents’ Suffering:Algorithmic Approach to Residential Placements at #7 & #3 Seafield Rd : March 2010 20 Ameliorating Residents’ Suffering:Algorithmic Approach to Residential Placements at #7 & #3 Seafield Rd 1. ASB risk assessment of potential candidates 2. Endorsement panel interview Low risk NO placement Not low risk 3. Expectation briefing of candidate NO placement Not accepted 4. Candidate accepted Unwilling to adhere 6. Provisional placement NO placement Unwilling to adhere 5. Willing to comply with ongoing evaluation Further information re algorithmic approach : March 2010 21 Further information re algorithmic approach 100 Fridge Magnets Distributed : March 2010 22 100 Fridge Magnets Distributed