Dear Messenger
I am writing in response to the piece by Rob Smith, the ‘Cactus Club Opening’, and Messenger editorial (page 3, March edition). Having lived next door to a well-run and organised ‘blues club’ for over ten years, I would have welcomed a positive police presence at any time with open arms. Despite being run efficiently it was impossible to pick and choose who came to the club. While most people were probably local and law abiding, the club attracted people far and wide who weren't. Most people arrived by car and parked with little or no respect to households, blocking driveways (obstructing people getting to work the following morning), and parking on double-yellow lines. Empty cans of Red Stripe littered the road from top to bottom due to people having to drink even during the walk from club to car. There were people urinating (and being sick) in gardens, women being beaten in the street, swearing and shouting outside the club while local residents tried to sleep, and people driving off in their cars clearly the worse for wear.
Your article sadly suggests a positive working relationship between the police and Cactus Club is unlikely to happen. It is a must that it does. Making it happen is a two-way process. The consequences of getting this wrong at this early stage are many. The damaging assumptions that the police hold about Burngreave and Pitsmoor are re-enforced, undermining all the good work that's happening locally. It also means we won't have to wait too long before we have the first firearm-related incident outside the club.
I'd like to point out that the police are not required to give people who park illegally a warning, before issuing a ticket. It could have been much worse, and rather than issue parking tickets, they could have breathalysed everyone leaving the club in their cars.
SK Pitsmoor
The Messenger replies: The Cactus Club is a licensed premises not an unlicensed ‘blues’ club. The Messenger is not aware of any complaints about thecustomers' behaviour.