The London borough in which I live wrote to residents recently inviting them to become ‘community champions.' It seemed a perfectly sound idea, a kind of step on from neighbourhood watch. In this case householders act as volunteer eyes and ears, reporting graffiti or vandalism, even anti-social behaviour. An identical scheme is being considered by the outer London borough of Harrow called ‘neighbourhood champions.' Again, the council is seeking volunteers to keep an eye on their local streets, though in this case it is supported by some training. I happen to know Harrow, and am aware that residents complain regularly of graffiti, illegal parking, dodgy DVD sellers, and general anti-social behaviour and this scheme ought to assist council staff and police in keeping an eye on such streetscene issues. So I was bemused to see this week's media coverage, initiated by the Press Association, was headed ‘Council's plan for snooper squad'. The London Evening Standard ran a front page story based on the PA copy headed ‘Citizen snoopers recruited to spy on Londoners' with the usual rent-a-quote from the Taxpayers' Alliance. The fact that the majority of the public is fed up with graffiti, vandalism, litter and selfish behaviour by a minority of residents seems to pass the national media by. When even a minor story like this is twisted into another ‘council spies' drama is it any wonder that the public remains in the dark about the much bigger and more complex picture, namely the looming downturn in public finances and the level of services which can henceforth be provided. In a seminar on the media I chaired at the recent SOLACE conference chief executives called on the two national lobby journalists addressing them to ‘open the debate about the level of public services citizens can expect.' The response was: ‘Why? We're here to sell papers.' What with that attitude from the national media on the one hand and politicians in election mode jumping on the bandwagon on the other, it's no wonder people remain in blissful ignorance about local government and the real challenges it – and they – face. Michael Burton, Editor, The MJ
