Each in their own world

I took minutes for the monthy meeting of the CBS Radionet users group this morning, and was hardly surprised at the frustration expressed by some present at the lack of progress in dealing with occasional problems arising from evening gatherings of street people for food hand outs in Charles Street. Security staff from the stores in St David's centre are often first responders on the scene when somebody driven to nasty behaviour by drink or drugs becomes threatening or violent to members of the public or to other vulnerable people out there.  

The nightly presence of a Police officer in this vicinity nightly would make all the difference to other professionals' concern for the security and safety of others. But the Police, they said, are rarely around or available when needed. Cut-backs in policing budgets, if it leads to any change in operational priorities, show no sign of bringing improvement to this situation. It's been the same for years.

Knowing something of the fruitless efforts made to resolve the problem by the Street Carers Forum and City Centre Management at the request of the Police, I could explain what had happened. Re-location of food handouts is not yet practicable, as there is no useable space in the city centre where street people would feel safe to gather. Like every other citizen, they have a right to be in the centre, much as many would like to see them cleared out. They gather in public places because it counters the sense of isolation and insecurity. It's at their place of need that food distribution can happen most effectively. The best solution would be a small drop in venue /feeding station, run by volunteers right in the centre. But who is prepared to invest in providing such a place?

If that can't happen, a fresh initiative is needed to manage the present situation better, with neighbourhood meetings of security pros, Street Carers' Forum reps, City Centre Management, social workers and Police to identify core problems and agree remedies. I was surprised to discover that no security professional knew the social workers working the city centre. These experienced carers are often better at dealing with difficult clients behaving badly than the Police. Another case of people occupying the same social space, coping with the same problems separately but living in their own worlds, without reference to others.

The temporary re-siting of the city's main work with homeless and vulnerable people - the Huggard Centre and Tresillian House - to the old Custom House Building, close to several hotels and John Lewis store, caused uproar initially. The operation has been well managed however. There are regular meetings with the posh neighbours, and two weeks ago the Custom House team joined Radionet, and is in touch not only with neighbourhood bosses, but also workers on the ground concerned for public safety and security. A similar meeting in the Charles Street neighbourhood might prove useful.  I wonder what I can do to make sure that happens?