1/ Situation in #londonfields #hackney over past weeks. Large crowds, small park, saturation take-away alcohol & food. Toilets open & numerous bins but numbers, intoxication & lack of personal responsibility = huge nuisance, public urination & defecation, litter & offending 
2/ @hackneycouncil put measures in place– patrols, signage, fencing off hot-spots–but it’s not brought problem under control. Enforcement in park displaces problem. Park is jumble of bins & signs. W/out numbers & real power enforcement under-resourced. #hackney #londonfields
3/ Isn't just #londonfields or #hackney issue but result of: take-away licenses encouraged, lockdown relaxed chaotically, social distancing undermined, park use promoted while toilets closed. Government that couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery managed to cause one in a park
4/ Situation is deeply damaging. Impact on people around park literally scrubbing urine & faeces off their steps is immense. They have spent ages in lockdown, only now to watch 1000s of people carousing outside, soiling outside their windows & getting abuse if they remonstrate.
5/ #hackney residents paying for this many times over: for the clean-up of #londonfields, to the businesses that are selling alcohol by way of the grants and furlough payments; we’re paying for the extra security patrols. And we’re paying with our health. It’s too great a price.
6/ @hackneycouncil @jonburkeUK have been listening & taking action. There aren’t easy answers for problem long in making. Sure, lockdown crumbling, good weather & pub-toilets closed has brought issues to a head. But problem has deeper roots & will need more long-term solutions.
7/ In short term “polluter pays” principle should apply. Only @pubonthepark has so far done litter patrols. Outlets who would normally employ cleaners, security & other staff could bring them off furlough to do litter patrols & discourage public toileting not paying lip service
8/ The costs they would normally incur for waste management, security and hygiene should be paid to the Council to manage the mess they are creating. If pissoirs or portaloos are needed they should go on their premises, not encroach still further on park.
9/ But there’s a systemic issue. @hackneycouncil granted too many alcohol licenses in small area, all poorly written lacking tailored conditions. Council pushed "destination" #londonfields-park, market, bistros, BBQ area & bars. Marketing manna but reality stinks of piss & shit.
9/ So longer term goal has to be reshaping area alcohol policy. Less outlets, restricted hours. Power to prevent alcohol use in parks and streets – which can be applied at peak times. A levy on take-out sales to cover costs of litter, patrols & cleaning.
Some of the current Councillors & Cabinet completely get this. Such enforcement won’t be popular. But for sake of people living in & around #londonfields it needs to happen. As soon as possible. Not just for this pandemic period. but to restore some balance to #londonfields
hi @threadreaderapp please unroll and save us in #hackney
