bubble
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On the subject of parking, isn’t it wonderful to know that funds which could be used to benefit the NHS in Wales are now going to be diverted to those with cars.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-44069699I don’t think it would be Wrexham Council’s and/or Police’s fault for criminalising such people. If they are breaking the law (I’ve no idea whether they actually are though) then they are criminalising themselves. There are other penalties besides fines – e.g. community sentences (e.g. picking up litter).
I’m actually an extremely compassionate person; e.g. I hold liberal values, am fiercely defensive of others when it comes to homosexuality, gender reassignment, free speech and freedom of expression, freedom to follow whichever religion one chooses (or none). But due to a very bad and prolonged personal experience with drug addicts & alcoholics, I have very little patience with them. I no longer feel able to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think there is a case for some “tough love” when it comes to such people. If I break the law it is only fair that I face the consequences; why should it be any different for anyone else, be they politicians, royalty, or beggars and/or people with substance abuse issues?
Overall though, I wouldn’t worry about it. Like much of Wrexham Council’s (& NW Police’s) initiatives, it will be a flash in the pan. The announcement is basically propaganda designed to make the public believe that something constructive and effective is being done, but in reality it won’t get the funds or commitment to stay the course. e.g. what improvements has the PSPO brought? Look at the fanfare over Tŷ Pawb but despite the long lead-time they haven’t even come up with a meaningful website. Rhosddu. Bus station. Electronic bus stop signs. Bus services. As for the “third sector agencies”, who are they and what have they been doing so far?
We voted these councillors in and we have got the Wrexham we deserve. I doubt that things will ever really change. IMHO, Wrexham is simply sh*t. I buy lottery tickets specifically because I believe that they offer me the only hope I have to escape from this hole.
[quote quote=148618]Bubble you have assumed all homeless people are either drug addicts or alcoholics- this is not the case as many people have become homeless through social or employment reasons and don’t get tempted by substances.[/quote]
I am aware that there is a difference, actually, but I also have no doubt that when it comes to describing those on the streets with substance abuse issues, the terms ‘homeless’ and ‘rough sleeping’ are used by some deliberately because they are more sympathetic descriptions. Many of these people are homeless as a consequence of their addictions and if we are to use labels then I would prefer for them to more honestly reflect the issue rather than one of its symptoms. Otherwise it confuses issues and effectively encourages terms such as ‘homelessness’ to become almost synonymous with terms like ‘addiction’.
Wrexham has a substance abuse problem. As well as being able to share photos that give an honest representation of the town’s ‘rough sleeping’ problems, surely we should also be honest about what the main cause of the problem is.
[quote quote=148581]You don’t need anyone’s permission to publish a photograph of them in a public place.[/quote]
Yes, I think we’re all agreed on that, Andy. My initial point was that I had hoped the reason people were being asked not to post photos of homeless in Wrexham was out of some noble sentiment, out of concern for what some might view as ‘vulnerable’ people, rather than the more self-serving motivation of not wanting people to see how grim Wrexham town actually is.
What’s legal and what’s appropriate according to social norms are not always the same thing. I personally have no problem with photos of the ‘homeless’ (or as I prefer to think of them, drug addicts & alcoholics) in Wrexham being shared. However, if an elderly person collapsed in Wrexham, I would think it inappropriate to take & share photos of them lying on the ground and even more so if they were identifiable from the photos.
[quote quote=148529]
I was hoping that the motivation behind it was that it’s seen as unethical to post photos of homeless people without their knowledge or permission,
Its actually not illegal to photograph anyone in public space with or without their consent.
Janey
No, it’s not illegal to photograph them. But it is unethical and could be illegal to publish their photographs without their prior permission.[/quote]
I was thinking that people might be accused of taking photos of ‘vulnerable’ people. e.g. if you took a photo of someone in zombie ‘mode’, they clearly wouldn’t in that moment be in a position to make an informed choice about whether their photo could be shared on social media or not.
[quote quote=148513][quote. I walked to the end of the entrance ‘corridor’ until I could look past what appeared to be some sort of caravan made out of corrugated steel (is this art? or?), <ahref=”https://www.wrexham.com/?s=ty+pawb&post_type=post&order_by=date/” rel=”nofollow”>https://www.wrexham.com/?s=ty+pawb&post_type=post&order_by=date/
Could it be they are waiting for a fortune teller to take up residence.[/quote]
Your guess is as good as mine!
I was just writing on another thread and realised that Tŷ Pawb’s interior decor reminds me of Prisoner Cell Block H.[quote quote=148505]Perhaps the Council will change Ty Pawb into a homeless shelter when they realise the current offering is a financial disaster. It would be quite easy to convert the stalls into small two-bed hostel accommodation. Also, workshops for them to be engaged in activities during the day.
There just solved two of the most controversial issues in Wrexham in one simple change of use!![/quote]Or perhaps it could be converted into cells, once the police station leaves town. They probably wouldn’t have to do much work to convert it either, it as it already has the feel of Prisoner Cell Block H.
I can’t claim to have actually expected this to happen, but I still can’t say that this surprised me – as it’s Wrexham council, sadly it doesn’t. It figures that the councillors (and perhaps the “top managers” too) would look after themselves first. It seems they have no qualms about cutting back on stuff for the public due to austerity, as long as they themselves get a good deal on the parking. They appear to have no understanding of the concept of equality or that we are “all in it together”. They must know how bad this looks so it feels to me as if they’re just sticking two fingers up at us and saying “deal with it”. They’re a disgrace.
I actually visited Tŷ Pawb the other day for the first time. It was shortly before midday on a weekday so perhaps it would have livened up if I’d waited around in there a little longer. I used the entrance on the same road as Pizza Hut takeaway. I walked to the end of the entrance ‘corridor’ until I could look past what appeared to be some sort of caravan made out of corrugated steel (is this art? or?), noticed there were still workmen doing work, and noticed the Plât Bach stall, which I found particularly underwhelming and bland. I think I had imagined the Welsh tapas bar would have a continental café feel to it, but it just looked so uninspiring and devoid of character. A couple of people were sitting at the picnic tables. I didn’t have to go anywhere in any particular hurry, but I honestly could not muster up any interest in exploring any further. I agree with people who’ve criticised the ‘breeze block’ and metal grill appearance of the place.
I have a couple of positive comments though. It did smell nice inside (I think this was the smell of fresh woodwork from the construction of the interior). I am also pleased that those hideous blue window frames outside have been redecorated black. But I wonder how long before the paint starts peeling back and revealing the blue. I would have thought with the millions spent on the place that they could have got new windows.
Can’t say I’m impressed with the ‘content’ on its website: https://www.wrexham.com/?s=ty+pawb&post_type=post&order_by=date/I was hoping that the motivation behind it was that it’s seen as unethical to post photos of homeless people without their knowledge or permission, but having now read the FB post (thanks for the link, Matt), I see that’s not the case.
Sometimes I consider contacting national newspapers or other news media to ask them to discreetly come and visit Wrexham and then report their findings. When the ‘zombies’ at the bus station made the national news, it annoyed me that authorities said photos taken by the bus driver were historical and that the situation had since improved. There was also a news article I saw some months back saying that Wrexham was hoping to be used by other towns as a model of how to deal with the homeless/ substance abuse problems.
I would love the national news to independently verify (or otherwise) what the situation as regards homelessness/ substance abuse in Wrexham town is really like. I don’t think the council/ police/ agencies involved will ever really do anything to properly tackle the issues unless they are effectively shamed into it.
