Collaborating for Community Safety: At the Ward Pact Meeting An Invitation Thursday 28 November at 5 PM
There is a PACT meeting on Thursday 28 November at 5 PM in the Temple Bar in Aberaman
Off-road motorbiking has been the main concern at this PACT meeting for years it is the most complained about subject especially in Cwmaman and Abercwmboi areas, where residents are fed up with the noise and the dangerous way offroad motorbike riders ride on public highways, that without the damage that off-roading do to the land its drainage and environment.
Vehicles parking across pavements
Issues with Parking Near Schools
Accessibility: Children, especially those with disabilities or mobility challenges, face difficulties when vehicles block their paths. This can discourage walking to school and limit access for those who rely on foot travel
Safety Hazards: Vehicles parked on pavements can obstruct visibility for both pedestrians and drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. This is particularly concerning during school drop-off and pick-up times when pedestrian traffic is high23.
Congestion: The presence of parked cars often leads to congestion around school entrances, making it difficult for parents and children to navigate safely. Poorly parked vehicles can force pedestrians onto the road, creating dangerous situations12.
At the last Aberaman Ward Pact meeting held at Abercwmboi, the subject of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) was discussed, as was the lack of PCSOs walking around the ward and showing a visible presence in the community.
Role and Responsibilities
PCSOs primarily:
Maintain a visible presence in communities to deter crime and improve public confidence
Support police operations by gathering information and intelligence
Assist in resolving low-level offences and anti-social behaviour
Develop relationships with community members and organizations
Support vulnerable individuals and promote community cohesion
Also the subject of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Community Wardens employed by the council, again the discussion was the lack of visible presence of Community Wardens to be informed that they now have vans to move around. Perhaps that’s why they are not so visible anymore. They don’t appear to attend PCTC meetings much.
Roles and Responsibilities
Community wardens should typically engage in the following activities:
Patrols: Conduct regular patrols to maintain a visible presence in the community and deter crime.
Anti-Social Behavior: Address incidents of anti-social behaviour by responding to reports and engaging with residents.
Environmental Issues: Tackle environmental crimes such as littering, fly-tipping, and graffiti, often issuing fixed penalty notices for violations25.
Community Engagement: Promote community involvement, especially among vulnerable groups and youth, to enhance social cohesion34.
Support Services: Assist residents in navigating local services and provide support to the elderly and vulnerable members of the community
Perhaps Community Wardens is an additional expense the council can do without with all the cuts to our basic public services the council keeps making. Previously, we just had a police service with local police stations, where if you had a problem, you had a face-to-face police officer to engage with. Now, we have an unidentified person who takes details, etc.
Is that progressive policing? A model of policing that uses new technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), to improve public safety and increase productivity. It also emphasizes the importance of combining human expertise with AI to tackle challenges and gain public trust.
It looks like crime is on the up in Aberaman North, the top reported crimes in Aberaman North reported by SWP during Sep 2024
Criminal damage and arson 2
Violence and sexual offences 17
Anti-social behaviour 8
SWP Top reported crimes in Aberaman South reported crimes during Sep 2024
Other theft 2
Violence and sexual offences 9
Anti-social behaviour 5
Shoplifting 3
