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Green_T


Registered: 10/02/08
Posts: 4,042
Loc: UK
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Rehab clinic clients 'intimidating' customers, say shopkeepers [UK]
#13355701 - 10/19/10 03:17 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Haven clients 'intimidating' customers, say shopkeepers October 19, 2010 - This Is South Devon . co.uk
PAIGNTON town centre traders say drug addicts and alcoholics using a drop-in centre are 'intimidating' and driving customers away.
Shopkeepers from Parkside Road say they have been victims of shoplifting, drunkenness in the streets, drug dealing, and drug taking.
The Haven, a Christian run centre that deals with alcoholics, addicts and people with mental health problems, as well as offering counselling and help during pregnancy, is in the middle of Parkside Road and traders say some visitors cause trouble on their streets.
The Reverend Paula Mayer, who runs the centre in Parkside Chambers said the project denied there had been drinking, drug taking and dealing going on.
She added: "We don't want to upset traders."
Ms Mayer said people could also go to language classes, prayer meetings or an alcohol recovery group and that not only addicts and alcoholics went there.
She added: "We respect the needs of local traders. We don't want to have conflict with them but we also feel that we are doing our bit for the community.
"We help people make benefit claims, and with their probation appointments too. We can give people blankets and sleeping bags and we let people get a hot drink and some food."
Ms Mayer said she had asked for an 'alco-stop' sign from police to stop people drinking on the centre's steps but hadn't been able to get one.
She added: "The majority of people who use the centre are more mature people with alcohol problems. The majority of them aren't drug addicts and we aren't allowing them to use drugs or drink or deal in here at all.
"They aren't drinking in here and spilling into the street.
"We are trying to help these people to change their lives and we do quite a lot to help them do that. We do that because we believe in helping the community and trying to drop the re-offending rates. We want to work with traders," she said
But John Clarke, who runs the Parkside Takeaway right opposite the project claims the last three years the centre has been run has been "pure hell".
"There are drug addicts, muggers and alcoholics there. It is a haven for the filth of the world," he said.
"The last three years have been pure hell. We do good business here, but people don't come back. People come staggering out from over the road, at the project and they shout and swear at you."
Mr Clarke said there had been "terrible problems" including people jumping over the counter in his shop.
"This isn't about revenge. It is because something needs doing about it.
"I would like to see the place shut down, because there are a lot of decent people that are suffering."
Howard Hughes runs the mixed martial arts Muay Thai kick boxing gym, called Planet Combat, directly below the project
He shares a communal hallway and stairs with the project.
He said: "Every person that visits the Haven has to come through the same entrance and hallway as myself and some of the customers are more desirable than others.
"They do a good job, and the original message and plan was to help people in need, but this has grown to include drunks and drug dependent people and criminals as well.
"Over the years I have to deal with quite a few problems and I am trying to run a fitness and well-being centre and the two places just don't mix."
He added that he didn't think the town centre was the right place for the project.
Debbie Binmore from Parkside Butchers said the atmosphere in the street can be "quite scary and intimidating" too.
"There are arguments, a lot of shoplifting goes on and drug dealing. They sit outside on the steps and drink really, really strong cider and bottles of sherry and we find the empties in the yard. The police get called quite regularly and it puts people off from coming down here.
"I think Ms Mayer's heart is in the right place, but I think they are taking advantage of her up at The Haven."
Sharon Davies owns the Mariner's Restaurant which is over the road from the centre and she said there were people who were drunk all the time, shouting from the windows at the project.
Peter O'Nions from Parkside Books said: "There are some very rum characters around and there are some strange sorts that look as if they are doped up and perhaps the police need to come and do something."
PC Nick Healey, from the Paignton Police Neighbourhood Beat Team said there was a 'Problem Solving Plan' already in place for the town centre that included tackling Parkside Road.
"Covert and overt police tactics are also being used in the area and the Neighbourhood Police Team remain highly visible and always approachable," added PC Healey.
"We are happy to work with the local business community to make this the best town it can be. That is what we are striving for, a thriving resort where people feel safe – and let's not forget that we do live in a safe place."
Green_T note: Changed word "Haven" in title to "Rehab clinic" to put in context
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"I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" - Thomas Jefferson Legalize Meth | Drug War Victims
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Rabid Jelly Bean
Stranger



Registered: 01/25/10
Posts: 411
Loc: TX
Last seen: 11 years, 24 days
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Re: Rehab clinic clients 'intimidating' customers, say shopkeepers [UK] [Re: Green_T]
#13357047 - 10/19/10 11:56 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Just assign a cop to regularly patrol the area. Problem solved.
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curenado
73rd Man



Registered: 04/01/03
Posts: 2,663
Loc: North Central Arkansas
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Re: Rehab clinic clients 'intimidating' customers, say shopkeepers [UK] [Re: Rabid Jelly Bean]
#13358329 - 10/19/10 04:53 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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They really ned to move the center. It is in a inappropriate spot. Here you don't open them in general public commerce areas. It is also bad for funding because a spokesperson asking for money might help but seeing it ruins that for most people. Then they are unwilling to fund further or other related things. I think she should be able to see that and find a better location.
-------------------- Yours in the Natural State Land of Enchantment! "The woods are lovely, dark and deep; but I have patches to keep, and jars to sterilize before I sleep...." "When psychotomimetics become cultural, so does cultural psychosis"
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blujay
pass it b*ch!


Registered: 04/01/09
Posts: 5,120
Last seen: 8 years, 9 months
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Re: Rehab clinic clients 'intimidating' customers, say shopkeepers [UK] [Re: Rabid Jelly Bean]
#13358403 - 10/19/10 05:10 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Okay, what century is this? The only "trader" I know is my local pawn shop. Everyone else is franchised or chained to some bureaucratic command that makes barter impossible.
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  wat man rly
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blujay
pass it b*ch!


Registered: 04/01/09
Posts: 5,120
Last seen: 8 years, 9 months
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Re: Rehab clinic clients 'intimidating' customers, say shopkeepers [UK] [Re: Green_T]
#13358413 - 10/19/10 05:13 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
She added: "The majority of people who use the centre are more mature people with alcohol problems. The majority of them aren't drug addicts and we aren't allowing them to use drugs or drink or deal in here at all.
"Bitch if you said this to my face I would shove a damn beer bottle up your cunt! What the fuck is alcohol again? O RITE!"
They're drug addicts. Those drunks that have withdrawal symptoms when they don't get ther morning beer? Yeah those are fucking satan-worshipping drug addicts just like that guy over there in the corner that can't stop smoking crystals out of lightbulbs.
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