Priorities For Policing In Shetland

[Colin]

 

That is why the police prefer to call them "synthetic highs" as we don't know they are legal until they're tested. "Keeping People Safe" is the focus, which is primarily done by law enforcement. (Seizing and testing the substance to see if it is illegal)

 

Angus

 

Angus,

 

1st off, I have no sympathy whatsoever with anyone who wants to partake of any substance that is 'untested' by qualified people but the point is;

If someone decided to risk taking themselves out of the gene pool in this way, don't you think that they have mave a (semi)concious decision that they do not want to  be kept safe?

If you agree, and the substance is in fact legal(?) do you think that you still have a right to interfere?  If so, as Unlinked Student suggested, (and as you officers already confiscate alcohol) how long will it be before you start confiscating peoples cigarettes?

[shetlandpeat]

Community engagement has worked where I am. With the use of PACT meetings and multi agency groups, things have improved. Folk are moving back into the area. It has only been done by involvement of the public, and hard work of the community officers, council officers, local drug charities, the ambulance service, the fire and rescue service, all levels of councils and the involvement of elected members to champion the engagement.

From our experience here, community involvement works, we do get the negative comments, they tend to be the minority, but not to start with.

What we have found is if you remove the negativity, things will start to improve, you have to find out how to engage, it takes some thinking but, it has been possible.

One thing that is impressive the Police do with the involvement of 15-17 year olds is the Crash Team. They simulate a serious road accident and go step by step through it. this has quite an impression for these budding motorists. The Fire and Rescue Service engage the community with sporting events, adventure days out and visits to stations, the ambulance service provide free training to any one who wants it on basic first aid, they have a volunteer biker group who deliver blood, parts and notes throughout the hospitals in the North West and beyond, they also have volunteer First Responders, normal members of a community who are alerted if needed. they also provide defib replenishment and fund defibs placements and training, anyone can have that training.

These services have opened their doors to let the public see what goes on.

 

Unfortunately there will, in any place or force be rogue elements, however, these are on the decline, and quite quickly too.

 

Community engagement has made the area a better place, still some work to do, and I know we cannot fix all of it, but we have made a big difference.

 

With decreasing budgets, communities have to work a little harder, well, go back a few years where there were strong communities, to help themselves.

[Rachel B]

So far as I can see, the drugs dog debate should be on a separate thread somewhere. People with immediate concerns about their personal safety may be put off posting on this thread because of the amount of comments that the drugs dogs debate has taken up.

[Ghostrider]

^ Surely anyone with immediate concern about their personal safety would be much wiser to contact the Police Station directly and in confidence, than publically post about it for all to see, where it may or may not be seen by anyone of relevance at some unknown future time. It could also be argued that if they are likely to be put off voicing their opinion, by the discussion up to that point being centred on some other aspect of Policing, that their concerns cannot be particularly great.

 

Yes, the drugs dogs are a subject which could be worthy of a debate in their own right, and if memory serves they had that, in the shape of a quite lengthy thread on here some time back. However, IMHO they also merit significant input to this thread as well, as for many Shetlanders these days, they probably rank quite high, if not highest among the reasons that an individual may come in to contact with and interact with the Police on a day to day basis.

 

If you travel to or from the island, either by boat or plane, or socialise in pubs, clubs and suchlike, which most people do from time to time. You are putting yourself in the most likely localities where these dogs and handlers can be found working most frequently.

[unlinkedstudent]

What are people's views on keeping a discussion thread running on "police / law enforcement / community engagement"?

 

Angus

 

 

Excellent, provided you continue to participate.  You might, however, care to note that only Moderators can close a thread ... so peeps can continue to contribute whether you choose to or not!    

[Karlos]

THREADS MERGED 26/11/2013

 

I know we have touched on this subject before but we need something done.

 

There are too many so called "professional drivers" of large vehicles trucks and coaches using these extra front lights. What folk do not realise, the roads here not very forgiving especially at night and when there are 2 large vehicles approaching each other on a wet night it makes it difficult to judge as you cannot see the edge of the road or whatever may be parked on the verge close to the white line marking the edge of the road.

 

What part of the road do these lights illuminate? Approximately 3.5 meters in front and  across the width of the road, not really aiding the driver is it so I asked a "professional driver" why, why do they insist in using these lights the answer, wait for it, "they look cool". I could not believe what my ears had just witnessed, a total disregard to other drivers for the sake of looking cool. 

 

The normal everyday driver should never have to use front or rear "fog lights" as there will be, most of the time other vehicles in close proximity however, should there be a need then they should be extinguished as soon as there is a vehicle in sight, it’s called driving. 

 

There must be someone out there on the council, the force that can do something to police this issue and or run a media campaign.

 

What do you all think???

 

 https://www.gov.uk/driving-adverse-weather-conditions-226-to-237/fog-234-to-236

236

You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226) as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.

Law RVLR regs 25 & 27

[brian.smith]

I know we have touched on this subject before but we need something done.

 

There are too many so called "professional drivers" of large vehicles trucks and coaches using these extra front lights. What folk do not realise, the roads here not very forgiving especially at night and when there are 2 large vehicles approaching each other on a wet night it makes it difficult to judge as you cannot see the edge of the road or whatever may be parked on the verge close to the white line marking the edge of the road.

 

What part of the road do these lights illuminate? Approximately 3.5 meters in front and  across the width of the road, not really aiding the driver is it so I asked a "professional driver" why, why do they insist in using these lights the answer, wait for it, "they look cool". I could not believe what my ears had just witnessed, a total disregard to other drivers for the sake of looking cool. 

 

The normal everyday driver should never have to use front or rear "fog lights" as there will be, most of the time other vehicles in close proximity however, should there be a need then they should be extinguished as soon as there is a vehicle in sight, it’s called driving. 

 

There must be someone out there on the council, the force that can do something to police this issue and or run a media campaign.

 

What do you all think???

 

 https://www.gov.uk/driving-adverse-weather-conditions-226-to-237/fog-234-to-236

236

You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226) as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.

Law RVLR regs 25 & 27

Try posting it here http://www.shetlink.com/index.php?/topic/8149-priorities-for-policing-in-shetland/

[Karlos]

Thank you Brian

[owre-weel]

Karlos, you make a good point. I think I passed at least five trucks and busses today, all covered in lots of blue lights on the front. Why?

 

It wasn't long ago after driving into the town through fog, with my fog lights on, I was shouted at across the road by a policeman who obviously was glued to his seat, telling me to turn my fog lights off. Perhaps I should be thankful that he didn't fine me.

 

But it seems that I would have been ok if I covered the front of my car in blue light and left them on!

Edited November 25, 2013 by owre-weel

[shetlandpeat]

Is this about FOG lights or embellishments or the new LED travelling lights?

 

As for the Truck decorations, drivers have been adorning their vehicles for years, used to be the Michelin Man on the side mirrors, then glowing CB twigs, VOLVO signs inside the cab, rows of lights on the front and rear of the rig, now these have changed to LEDs. Some look good, others, do not. I have 4 100 watt flashing beacons on my vehicle, still folk claim not to have seen it. So, it seems these light work up there.

[Karlos]

 

 Owre-weel,

The blue led lights are not the problem, I think they do enhance the vehicle however they are illegal to use on a public highway but I guess as long as there not flashing the law turn a blind eye. As a truck driver for over 33 years I would have extra amber to the side and front and red to the rear to make my truck stand out in fact a few of us showed our trucks at truckfest.

There would be no need for the use of fogs in a built up area unless it's that bad you can't see the hand in front of you and there is no other vehicles in proximity but if it's that bad home would be the best place.

Rule of thumb: poor visibility use your fogs as soon as you see another vehicle turn them off, there is a fine up to £1000 for the misuse of fog lights.

 Shetlandpeat, don't get me started on the amber flashing beacons, Black 4x4 driving around the isles as if Dr Who were after them. Like you I like to see a nice looking vehicle, it also demonstrates the dedication of the driver. A clean image is good company prestige

 

 

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[shetlandpeat]

The sort of thing I was on about is below, I am always amazed that drivers do not understand why vehicles have Amber Beacons.

 

http://www.exterius.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/snow-plough.jpg

The amount of drivers who thought that they could overtake or try to beat to a gap beggars belief.

 

As for embellishments, I agree, some are tasteful.

 

http://www.anapolschwartz.com/pa-truck-accident/images/dv243009_accident13.jpg

 

However, too much sometimes/

 

http://obutecodanet.ig.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/caminhao5.jpg

[Who Knows]

Dear Angus,

 

Elsewhere on Shetlink there is a discussion regarding the rules of the highway and Pelican Crossings when the lights are not functioning.

 

Can you clarify the local police view about rights of way and whether when the lights are not working they become equivalent to a Zebra Crossing?

[PoliceScotlandShetland]

Hi,

 

As part of the on-going consultation process for the policing & fire plans for Shetland a series of public meetings re being held throughout Shetland over the next few weeks - anyone is welcome to attend any event.

 

Fetlar Community Hall, 07.01.2013 at 7pm;

Lerwick Fire Station, Wednesday 8th January at 7pm;

Baltasound JHS, Tuesday 14th at 6pm;

Scalloway Fire Station, Wednesday 15th at 7pm;

Bixter Hall, Thursday 16th at 7pm;

Sandwick Fire Station, Thursday 23rd at 7pm;

Mid Yell Fire Station, Friday 24th at 6pm

Whalsay Fire Station, Saturday 25th at 6.30pm.

 

Please attend these meetings to let us (police & fire) know what you think the issues priorities should be.

 

Tonights meetings was at Brae Fire Station where the issues highlighted to the police were:

 

• Synthetic Highs
• Speeding vehicles - including buses, lorries and cars
• Risky overtaking
• Vehicle lighting
• Anti-social behaviour near licensed premises.

 

Angus

 

[Colin]

Hi,

 

As part of the on-going consultation process for the policing & fire plans for Shetland a series of public meetings re being held throughout Shetland over the next few weeks - anyone is welcome to attend any event.

 

Fetlar Community Hall, 07.01.2013 at 7pm;

Lerwick Fire Station, Wednesday 8th January at 7pm;

Baltasound JHS, Tuesday 14th at 6pm;

Scalloway Fire Station, Wednesday 15th at 7pm;

Bixter Hall, Thursday 16th at 7pm;

Sandwick Fire Station, Thursday 23rd at 7pm;

Mid Yell Fire Station, Friday 24th at 6pm

Whalsay Fire Station, Saturday 25th at 6.30pm.

 

Please attend these meetings to let us (police & fire) know what you think the issues priorities should be.

 

Tonights meetings was at Brae Fire Station where the issues highlighted to the police were:

 

• Synthetic Highs
• Speeding vehicles - including buses, lorries and cars
• Risky overtaking
• Vehicle lighting
• Anti-social behaviour near licensed premises.

 

Angus

Scalloway has a Public Hall which is in the middle of the village whilst the Fire Station is quite a way outside the village.

 

This means that those who do not drive will, very probably, not attend your meeting.

 

To attend, non drivers would be obliged to walk on a busy and fairly narrow section of main road which has no pavement or lighting for a distance of at least 1/2 mile of it's length.

 

Well thought out (not).  Why?

 

As you claimed, recently, that the Police have a duty(?) in respect of public safety, I would also be interested in hearing who would be deemed (at least partially) liable should a pedestrian be injured on his/her way to the meeting.