NEW York-style policies could help in Ellesmere Port.
That’s the opinion of Superintendent Sarah Boycott, who was asked about bringing her experiences in New York – which famously implemented a Broken Windows policy in the 1990s, tackling every crime, no matter how small – to the streets of the Port.
Borough councillor Peter Shephard, speaking at Ellesmere Port’s said this borough was no different from any other in terms of youth crime.
He asked: “With you being in New York, is there anything you can give to the borough council about your experiences there to help us?”
Supt Boycott explained her work had been with the UN, not the New York Police Department, but she could talk about her time as a resident and what she’d seen.
She said: “It was a very safe community.
“There was a lot of basketball courts and other things which young people could have access to.
“There were also a lot of public spaces which were being used, people wanted to go in them, and a vibrant community feel.
“People got engaged with their local communities. It felt like they owned their public spaces.”
Cllr Shephard (Lab, Rivacre) asked if American parents were involved.
Supt Boycott replied they were, adding: “We need that feel (here) that parents are involved. We have got to work to look at solutions.
“I lived near a housing association area and it had an active community and good policing service.”
The legal age to buy alcohol in New York is 21, she said, and this law is so strongly enforced that she herself had her identity challenged when she went for a drink.
