So tell me, for my ignorance is immense, how do civilised places deal with increasing anti-social behaviour? Do they not call in the police to deal with it? Employ some security staff to eject malfeasant scum? Maintain a presence of authority to let them know who's in charge? Or ... Do they lock the doors and hide in their office like timorous mice? Abjectly surrender to the guilty, criminal few at the expense of the innocent majority?
I ask because never in my few years on this earth have I seen such pathetic cowardly actions as those carried out recently in Hull Paragon Station. The gates you see above will be closed to all and sundry between 9.30 and 16.30 to reduce crime .... It is so reassuring that criminal types keep such a workaday schedule, they probably sing that Dolly Parton earworm as they go about their nefarious dealings ... Station manager Dan Dreggs (I'm not making this up) has placed notices up explaining that it's really British Transport Police's plan ...but it's his name on the notices and he is responsible for this act of stupidity.
The whole thing would be laughable if it did not have repercussions on those who absolutely must use this gate, they are told they should book ahead to get admission. But many did not know and so could not, neither can a good few even read the sign because disability comes in many forms and the Dreggs of this world are just way out of their depths ... did I mention that taxis drop off their fares outside this gate? That the main car park for the station is outside this gate? So both fit and frail must both make their way right around the front of the station and enter via Ferensway just because a few miscreant nobodies have ruined the peace of Mr Dreggs and he simply cannot cope (between the hours of 9.30 and 16.30!)... oh yes, this was until a fortnight ago signed as a fire exit ...
A petition has been running since this idiocy began you can sign it here should you be outraged by this nonsense.
A great many are of the opinion that this action is contrary to disability discrimination legislation; I feel it may well be so.
I have never seen anything more menacing in this spot than a polite seated beggar in the car park or a small group of not particularly unwholesome youths drinking energy drinks& chatting.
ReplyDeleteDreggsgate is a gift, but I will forever think of this latest City of Culture outrage as Gategate.
What a buffoon. I can see closing it up overnight, but during the day?
ReplyDeleteASB has been dramatically reduced since this trial began and it was implemented after recommendations from the BTP. The hours of it's closure reflect the hours that the two nearby bail hostels are closed to their residents. This is a social problem that should be dealt with by the council providing adequate assistance for these people. Unfortunately Hull Paragon are having to deal with it themselves and as the station is private property they can close an entrance if they choose.
ReplyDelete