It is a shame that only one man went to the police surgery in Lochee, though the one in Charleston was better attended.
What a wasted opportunity for the residents of Lochee. Tayside Police has an attitude to be proactive instead of just responsive, which has certainly improved our area of Stobswell.
However, we had to fight for this change, and believe me it wasn’t easy. Any person who has had enough with problems in their area should go down to these surgeries and take the chance to speak to police.
It is up to the people of Dundee to speak up so the police can go after the problems.
By staying at home, shutting the drapes and hoping the problems just go away, residents just hand their streets over to the junkies, muggers and thieves. No calls equals no problems, therefore no resources are needed and so we get no security in our community.
We should all be safe to walk down the road without the fear that we are going to be attacked.
Tayside Police and residents have the chance to do something about it. — Be Counted.
[Tayside Police is holding two more surgeries at Menzieshill Library on Monday from 6 to 7.30pm and at Blackness Library from 5.30 to 7pm on Tuesday.]
One-way system has increased safety
In response to “Tired Legs, Lochee” who claims that you “can no longer get a bus in Lochee High Street”, I point out that buses do still run along the High Street, albeit only in a south direction.
He or she claims “people will now just go into the city centre where bus access is easier”.
My mother, who is almost 70, has no problem walking the short distance to the bus stops, situated on the Lochee bypass at either end of the High Street.
Since the introduction of the one-way system, both elderly and young families with children benefit hugely from the increased safety when crossing the High Street. — Lochee Shopper.
No thought for elderly and disabled
I agree with the person who wrote in about the difficulty in getting to Lochee bypass for a bus as a result of the new one-way system.
I think someone should have thought about the elderly and the disabled. — Lochee Shopper.
Homeless shelter
In response to Mrs Kobylarska’s letter regarding shelter for the homeless. I assure her there are several organisations within Dundee (both voluntary and statutory) for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Transform Community Development (formerly Dundee Cyrenians) provides direct access accommodation at our Jessie Devlin Close unit around the clock. We also provide more accommodation at our Seagate and Brewery Lane units.
Support is also given to individuals moving into private rented accommodation through our Dundee HomeFinder Service.
Under current legislation the local authority has a duty to provide individuals with temporary accommodation when a homeless application is made. These can be made 24 hours a day through the Lily Walker Centre. — Bryan Smith, Operations Service Manager, Transform Community Development.
Not surprised
Regarding the letter from Mrs Kobylarska on the four men sitting in various Dundee street doorways, trying to collect enough money from passers-by, I am not surprised by this.
To raise enough for a night’s bed and breakfast, considering an average establishment charges between £25 to £35 per night.
They must be sitting in sub-zero temperatures for a long time to collect such a figure.
I once handed a supposedly homeless person a £1 coin, only to walk a few yards, and, on turning round, noticed him pulling out a packet of 20 cigarettes to have a smoke. — Ronnie McIntosh, Balunie Drive, Dundee.
PE in schools
I write regarding the article on Dundee schools meeting Government PE guidelines.
We hear often that standards are falling and more children are failing to meet the required standard in reading, writing and maths.
The answer? All schools must have two hours of physical education in the primary school timetable.
Children are in the classroom for only 25 hours a week and now two hours of that, nearly 10%, will reduce that time further.
PE is essential and necessary in the primary school week, but to make it a prescriptive amount is taking things too far.
Staff run after-school activities, but these don’t count apparently. — Active Oldie.
Anger at British Iran silence
As unrest continues against the rigged elections in Iran, I am surprised to find a deafening silence in Britain from those usually keen to voice concern for the well-being of those forced to live under tyrannical regimes.
Human Rights abuses appear to continue.
Among the TV footage smuggled out is verifiable evidence of a state clampdown that has involved baton charges and mass arrests, as well as one alleged killing of a young female protester.
If the West’s protest groups remain silent, they only give the tyrannical regime in Iran the impression that they don’t care.
A growing number of Iranians back moves for political reform, including the removal of barriers to the West.
Many Iranians are keen to break free from the deadly grasp of Islamist fundamentalism.
They need to know they have the support of people in the West. — Democrat.
Bingo night
Prize bingo will resume on Sunday at 7 pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, Forebank Road, Dundee. All are welcome. — Pat McGoldrick, Organiser.
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