The police are right to drive home this message

In the days to which I refer many of them were lodged au Greffe for a few hours in the cells at the Police Station in Seale Street until they were sober enough to be sent on their way – usually with an admonishment from either the duty sergeant or the Centenier (or both) that next time they’d find themselves in front of little Johnnie Pinel or one of his successors at the Police Court next door.

Things have moved on since then. The Black Maria is now called the police van (of German origin, I noticed but if that’s the best deal they can get then who am I to argue), Johnnie Pinel’s successor as Magistrate is Bridget Shaw, regarded by the criminal fraternity (so I’m told) as about as unlikely a pushover as Judge Pinel was, and the place is now in a plush new building called the Magistrate’s Court.

Anyhow, although the reference to Black Marias might well be a touch nostalgic, the point I seek to make is that the vehicle was one of those carrying a pretty graphic slogans about men taking advantage of women who’ve had too much to drink.

I must admit that I had been slightly bemused when listening to a listeners’ discussion on the wireless that some of those – particularly mothers of young children – who objected to the plain speaking used in trying to get an important message across were in fact giving it far more publicity and in more graphic terms by airing their views publicly. I strongly suspect most of them carry those ridiculous ‘Baby on Board’ signs which obstruct part of the rear window and tempt people like me – who drive allowing a safe distance between me and the vehicle in front, as do the majority – to carry a sign saying ‘Herod on Board’.

After listening to some of the comments I couldn’t help thinking that the boys and girls in blue must be delighted with all the additional publicity from those who oppose their initiative.

While on the same subject, I was also somewhat bemused by the letter questioning the statistics published about domestic violence, and in particular that which read: ‘Fact: on average women are assaulted 35 times before reporting it to the police.’

The correspondent questioned the statistic principally on the basis that he had difficulty recalling a single case where the accused had asked for 34 other instances of domestic violence to be taken into account before sentencing – a contention which may well have held sway with some people.

It made no impression on this bolshie little crapaud, however, because unlike the United Kingdom there is no provision in Jersey law for offenders to ask for other offences to be taken into consideration when being sentenced. That, put very simply, is why this particular correspondent has difficulty in recalling it ever happening. It never has – Fact.

As to the statistic itself, the author of this letter must have led a very sheltered life. I can recall – in addition to having personal knowledge of a number of instances – cases where women have recounted many years of thuggish brutality where they have been assaulted almost every time the husband/partner returned home from the pub. Once a week for a year is more than 50 occasions and believe me that sort of statistic is certainly not a rarity. Just ask anyone who has ever had anything to do with the Women’s Refuge if you want first hand confirmation.

Sometimes hard hitting slogans are the only way in which to get a message across and I would suggest that in cases such as domestic violence and taking advantage of drunken women – as much rape as leaping out of bushes in a lonely lane and attacking a woman – the crimes are serious enough to warrant such an approach.

I recall reading many years ago of the police in Australia – a place not noted for subtlety of language – putting a sign up on a road where there had been many fatalities because of speeding. It read: ‘Cut your speed you stupid prat. You’re a bloody long time dead!’ Needless to say, it had the desired effect.

DON’T ask me how we got on to the subject but the occupants of the old lads’ corner in the pub the other evening found themselves discussing the amusing account of American Senator John McCain who was photographed playing poker on his mobile phone (or similar instrument) during a crucial Senate hearing on whether the Yanks should start bombing seven kinds out of the Syrians.

Inevitably, there followed the customary wide ranging discussion on the merits or otherwise of bombing Damascus (and anywhere else in Barack Obama’s sights on a wet Wednesday when there’s nothing else going on in the world). It was halted only by the intervention of one of our number who recalled that on a recent visit to the Big House when he was spoilt for choice with seating arrangements – he being the only member of the Island’s electorate interested enough to climb the stairs to the public gallery – he leaned over the balcony and saw one woman Member breaking the monotony by playing solitaire on her mobile phone.

At roughly nine hundred notes in the little brown envelope handed out every Friday lunchtime, it sounds better than working.

And finally,

Message for those calling for a popular vote for Chief Minister with only Senators considered. Look back on some who’ve topped the poll since the war. Ability should always take precedence over popularity and not only in the dictionary.