Anti-Social Behavior Orders - Essay Example

Anti-Social Behavior Orders: Are They Nothing More Than an Unnecessary Diversion From the Problems of the Inner Anti-Social Behavior Orders: Are They Nothing More Than an Unnecessary Diversion From the Problems of the Inner City In regards to the matter of anti-social behavior orders, there is truly much that needs to be taken into focus and consideration, and as well, there is the major issue of whether or not it is thought of that these anti-social behavior orders are nothing more than an 'unnecessary diversion from the problems of the inner city'; in order to find out whether or not this statement is actually true, we must first realize and recognize various different factors, and all of the issues that are in relation this subject in general. Basically the first thing of all that should be known is the fact that an anti-social behavior order (ASBO) is known as being "a civil order that is made against a person who has been shown to have engaged in conduct which caused or was likely to cause harm, alarm, harassment, or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as him or herself and where an ASBO is seen as necessary to protect relevant persons from further anti-social acts by the defendant." (Wikipedia, 2006). In order to truly understand the matter of anti-social behavior orders and as well in relation to that the question of whether or not they are simply an unnecessary diversion from more important and relevant matters, such as from the major problems of the inner city, then we must discuss not only the more obvious matters but also those that are not as easily understood. This is what will be dissertated in the following. Through a truly in-depth analysis of certain and specific areas, it has been attempted to understand particular initiatives that are taking place, as well as the implications of their geographic location, and even how they are likely to end up interacting with respect to their impact on children and families in particular. More specifically, extra attention has been given to those initiatives that directly involve children and families, as it has been felt important to consider other initiatives which may not necessarily require that of the participation of children and families, but rather which seem most likely to affect at least some of the risk and protective factors that are associated with the development of delinquent behavior. The matter of actually targeting the initiatives is one of the most important overall, and the current government's strategies in regards to this and in regards to dealing with social exclusion have truly led to the actual establishment of a large number of initiatives that aim to tackle the problems that are arising from social exclusion in certain disadvantaged areas. "Research suggest, however, that the joining up of initiatives is beset with difficulties. Local authority officers and elected members apparently find that the volume of new initiatives is the main obstacle to 'joined up working.'" (McCarthy et al, 2003). Furthermore, a Local Government Association (LGA) report that was published in 1999 truly worked by drawing attention to what was described as being the inevitable complexities of working with and across different initiatives. This report is in fact also suggested that certain partners in the actual provision of initiatives altogether were tending to find their resources stretched immaculately as they strove to respond to separate, and this was often a rather difficult criteria; moreover, the actual time-scale for some initiatives, and at the speed at which partnerships are really expected to respond to the bidding process, have quite arguably militated against that of the development of sustainable partnerships. "Although the report itself acknowledges the need for ABIs to be monitored and evaluated, it warns that there might be a risk of 'overkill', and claims that local authorities are being 'unduly inundated' by requests for information from different agencies exploring, researching and evaluating their experiences of providing initiatives funded by central government. It also predicted problems concerning the measurement and attribution of outcomes when several initiatives exist within the same geographical area." (McCarthy et al, 2003). Anti-social behavior orders are one thing in themselves, and must be truly understood in order to be able to properly any questions regarding them; the Anti-social Behavior Act 2003 is a United Kingdom Act of Parliament which almost entirely applies only to that of England and Wales, and it is one which was championed by then home secretary David Blunkett, and it is one which was passed in 2003. "As well as strengthening the anti-social behavior order and Fixed Penalty Notice, and banning spray paint sales to people under the age of 16, it gives local councils the power to order the removal of graffiti from private property." (Wikipedia, 2006). As well, it specifically addresses matters such as truancy, false reports of emergency, fireworks, public drunkenness and gang activity, and there are the main provisions of the Act, which are the matters that lay within it that are truly most important to take into consideration. This would include the fact that is located in Part I of the Act, ('Premises where drugs used unlawfully') enables police to serve a closure notice on premises that have been used for drug use, production or supply of Class A drugs, and as well, after such a notice has then been served, a Magistrates' Court can then make a closure order, of which it is an offence to breach. The matter of anti-social behavior is one which truly has a wide legal definition, and to paraphrase the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, "it is behavior which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people who are not in the same household as the perpetrator." (Crime Reduction, 2006). As well, just as the specific problems of anti-social behavior are varied, the solution then as well must be understood as being able to operate equally effective on many different levels; while an energetic and rather constructive police response is obviously essential, there is also the fact that too must be known and this is that it must be supplemented by engagement from a wide variety of partners, and "to take only the most obvious, schools need to have effective policies in place against truancy and bullying. Local authorities and registered social landlords need to take responsibility for acting against anti-social behavior by their tenants, and against their tenants. Social services need to ensure that they are taking the welfare of the community fully into account when making their decisions. And, just as important, all of these bodies need to be sharing information with each other to the fullest possible extent in order to act fairly and decisively against the problems of anti-social behavior." (Crime Reduction, 2006). More in regards to the truly more profound question, of whether or not anti-social behavior orders are nothing more than an unnecessary diversion from the problems of the inner city; this is a question which truly must be answered on various different levels. For instance, the fact that these orders are attempting - and have been successful so far in doing so - at deterring anti-social behavior from occurring, there are also other problems that are taking place that seem to be being left out in the process. However, there is not a doubt regardless in regards to the fact that these anti-social behavior orders are a positive attribute altogether, in that they have made significant progress and they are doing nothing but good things for communities and areas in the UK. Although in some ways they can in fact be considered as a sort of diversion from other problems that are taking place, they are truly a necessary thing nonetheless in the fact that they are attempting and successfully deterring people of all ages from committing delinquent and otherwise anti-social acts, and so in no way can this fact truly be looked upon negatively. However, there is then also the fact that people have considered that the war on terror and the war on anti-social behavior actually have some things in common - this includes the matter of anti-social behavior orders as well, of course. "Over the past decade, anti-social behavior - hellish neighbors, beggars, teenage gangs - has become a big worry in Britainin response to such difficulties, the government has created a new set of legal tools. Chief among them is the anti-social behavior order, or ASBO. This is a list of restrictions tailored to an individual offender that can now be obtained either in a civil hearing or following a criminal conviction." (Polazzo, 2005). The main reason that some people consider anti-social behavior orders as being a type of diversion from more important matters is in regards most primarily to that of the war on terror. In other words, many people feel that too much attention is now being paid to anti-social behavior and the matters in relation to this, rather than to the war on terror; as though they are being diverted from something that to most is considered as being more important overall. There are several reasons that are used to explain why more attention is really being paid to anti-social behavior, with one being the fact that "there are more tools for dealing with it. Most powerful of these is the anti-social behavior order - a civil order, lasting for a minimum of two years, that can be used severely to restrict a person's liberties." (Polazzo, 2005). Overall it is quite easy to see that yes, the ASBOs are in a way a diversion from perhaps more important matters, but in reality, if you stop and think about it, if we do not start small then where can we really start at all These orders are working to deter people of all ages from committing heinous and delinquent acts, and so they are truly helping out in a most positive way and are doing nothing but creating useful and appreciated results; however, a different viewpoint can be taken by anyone, and so in order to truly solve this dilemma, there must be much more research and time taken and put forth onto this matter altogether. References Bouphonia. (2006). Anti-Social Behavior Orders. Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://bouphonia.blogspot.com/2005/02/anti-social-behaviour-order.html Crime Reduction. (2006). A Guide to Anti-Social Behavior Orders and Acceptable Behavior Contracts. Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/asbos/asbos9.htm Downing. (2004). Anti-Social Behavior. Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www.downingstreetsays.org/archives/000853.html McCarthy, P., et al. (2003). Targeting Initiatives: Diverting Children and Young People From Crime and Anti-Social Behavior. Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR476.pdf Polazzo. (2005). Anti-Social Behavior in Britain. Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://polazzo.stuysu.org/antisocial_behaviour_in_britain.htm Scotsman. (2006). Anti-Social Behavior Orders. Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfmtid=1388&id=1433462006 Slash. (2006). UK Hackers Face Anti-Social Behavior Orders. Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://it.slashdot.org/article.plsid=06/07/18/1320204 Read More