Lack of parental control could lead to ASBOs

LOW level anti-social behaviour like loitering and causing damage to trees and plants causes more concern in communities than serious incidents such as joyriding, a Labour Party survey has found.

The major survey conducted in nine constituencies throughout the country found that people in urban areas are affected more by persistent and everyday occurrences in their neighbourhoods.

Typically, these came under the misuse of public spaces category and included racing cars around neighbourhoods, graffiti, damage to property, street drinking and intimidation.

Overall, however, the survey (the findings of which were collated by Cllr John Gilroy from Blarney, Co Cork) revealed a high level of concern with all forms of anti-social behaviour.

Across 14 behaviour types, over half of the respondents expressed medium to high concern. The level of concern rose to 68% in relation to some specific examples of behaviour.

Some 23,200 questionnaires were distributed to households across the nine constituencies involved. A total of just over 2,000 responses was received, reflecting a 8.7% return rate, which is consistent with other postal surveys.

In voicing concerns about such behaviour, the respondents also were asked to identify shortfalls in garda and local authority strategies. Among the main criticisms were that there were not enough gardaí, that there was a lack of facilities for young people, that estates were poorly designed and had inadequate public lighting.

In addition, there was a widespread belief among people that lack of parental control had contributed to the situation.

One respondent wrote: “Groups of young teens out after 9pm, drunk/high/aggressive — no parental influence.”

At the launch of the report yesterday, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte and justice spokesperson Brendan Howlin both contended that effective community policing would provide a key part to a solution. Mr Rabbitte, when asked, said the party was in favour of the introduction of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) but only for more extreme situations, where other solutions had not worked.

Mr Howlin said Labour broadly agreed with the distinction that was being made between over 18s and under 18s with regard to ASBOs in the Criminal Justice Bill, currently being debated in the Oireachtas.

However, he honed in on community policing, saying that there needed to be a new garda rank of community garda, more juvenile liaison officers, better community links, and more comprehensive youth diversion schemes.