Should parks close early to tackle the problem of unruly youths or is there a better solution?
A DIVERSE strategy is needed to address the problem of misbehaving children in parks; early park closures might not be the best course of action.
Here are a few different approaches one might want to think about:
- Participation in the community: Encourage participation and a sense of community ownership in the parks. Encourage locals to get involved in community events and clean-up projects, as well as to take pleasure in their parks.
- Enhanced police officer attendance: Increasing the number of park rangers or police officers during busy times can help to prevent misbehaviour and guarantee visitors’ safety. To prevent over-policing, it is crucial to find a balance.
- Youth activities and programmes: Develop and promote initiatives and events that are especially targeted towards youth. This could include community activities, educational initiatives, or sports leagues that offer constructive ways to let off steam and express creativity.
- Programmes for mentorship and counselling: Put in place mentorship and counselling programmes to assist young people who are at danger. These programmes can help them refocus their behaviour by offering direction, encouragement, and positive role models.
- Knowledge and consciousness: Inform the public on the value of public areas and the consequences of disruptive behaviour. Campaigns for awareness can deter antisocial behaviour and promote appropriate park use.
- Working together with schools: Assist neighbourhood schools in addressing behavioural concerns at an early stage. Identifying and assisting at-risk adolescents can be facilitated by forming partnerships with educational institutions.
- Technological remedies: Install technological solutions that enable consumers to report issues, such as smartphone apps or security cameras. By doing so, park activities can be monitored and disruptive behaviour can be immediately dealt with.
- Better design and lighting: Make sure parks are well-lit and have minimal hiding places in their layout. A well-thought-out park with excellent visibility can deter illegal activity.
- Parental participation: Urge parents to get involved in their children’s’ extracurricular activities. A child’s behaviour can be positively impacted by strong parental participation.
- Programmes for resolving conflicts: Provide programmes for resolving disputes between park visitors to handle potential problems. Educating people on non-violent conflict resolution techniques can help create a safer park atmosphere.
To develop an all-encompassing and successful strategy to address the problem of unruly behaviour in parks, it is imperative to involve the community in the decision-making process and take into account a combination of these tactics. While early park closures might be a short-term fix, it’s crucial to address the underlying issues and seek to create a welcoming and safe environment for all.
Annah
lll
PARKS are built to cater to the recreational activities of the residents, be it youth, elderly, or children. Now that the weather is cooler, many children prefer spending time outdoors with their friends. It is during this limited part of the year that allows people of the kingdom to step out and engage in leisure activities they enjoy.
Just because some children are loud, which means they are enjoying themselves, the parks shouldn’t be closed early. Children go to the parks to do the things they love. They play with their friends, ride bicycles and spend a fun-filled time together. Many children have a chance to play their beloved sport football in this pleasant weather.
Would you feel content denying them that pleasure? Apart from that, some families get to meet each other in the neighbourhood parks in the late evening after wrapping up their work or jobs.
There is a solution to every problem. The parks’ security personnel should keep a check on the visitors and make sure they are not a nuisance to others in the park. This can be done by imposing a warning or a fine for causing disturbance. Additionally, signboards can be placed at the entrance and within the park reminding citizens of their civic responsibilities. CCTV cameras can be placed to monitor the situation. Citizens living nearby have to be more tolerant towards children.
Let grown-ups be grown-ups and let children be children!
Dr Farha Zainuddin
lll
PARKS pulse with laughter, offering a joyful escape from the city’s din. When the darkness grows and the boisterous youngsters descend, these havens may become less than ideal. The dilemma then becomes, should we close the gates early, sacrificing access for safety, or do we look for wiser solutions that don’t penalise everyone for the conduct of a few?
Early closures might seem like a quick hush, but it mutes not just mischief, but families’ strolls, athletes’ runs, the park’s very soul. Is this the harmony we seek? Pushing the issue aside won’t make it disappear. Displaced youths might simply move their chaos elsewhere. We’re not fixing the root, just changing the backdrop.
Let us abandon the one-size-fits-all approach in favour of a more sophisticated answer.
More eyes, less tension: Increase security presence, not just with uniformed cops, but also with welcoming faces such as park rangers and community volunteers who can de-escalate situations and create rapport.
Sow the seeds of possibility, not push youth away. Sports leagues, art, mentorships – give young people a reason to be there for good. Designated areas, better lights, clear sightlines – all nudging towards a park everyone enjoys.
Amplify the community voice: This isn’t just the park’s problem; it’s a community puzzle we all hold pieces to. Residents, businesses, even young people themselves – let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. Volunteer clean-ups, vibrant celebrations – let’s claim this space together, inch by inch. When ownership takes root, misbehaviour loses its ground.
Parks are more than plots of land; they’re the beating heart. While early closures might offer a temporary hush, they won’t mend the fractured notes. Let’s be the generation that chooses understanding, opportunity, and a shared love for the park symphony that benefits all.
Dr Muhammad Abrar-ul-Haq
University of Bahrain
lll
I AM seven years old studying in a school in Bahrain.
In my cartoons I see people are disciplined and good mannered. I have always noticed that the characters in my cartoons guide each other not to destroy things around them. Then, why in real life people are breaking things?.
My question is: Why do we have unruly youth?.
My dad comes home at 10pm from work. That’s the time when he takes me out to play; if the parks are closed, where will I go to play?
I thought that I needed to speak for myself and for children like me who wait to go out to play no matter what time it is.
I believe that closing the parks will not be a solution to the problem; the unruly youth will find out different ways to express their frustrations. Exactly. ‘Frustrations’ is what the cause could be.
From my point of view and my understanding from my cartoons and the books I read, I think the youth who are believed to be the cause of the destruction in the park must be monitored closely and then with the help of their parents they need to be guided to have a better nation.
Ignoring such behaviour by closing down the parks will not bring an end to the issue. My parents and teachers told me that discipline starts from home and that makes me ask: Where is the root cause? Who is responsible?
A proper awareness programme in society and schools and continuous CCTV monitoring will bring a change in society. I don’t want my play time to be restricted with a time barrier.
Ritushri Sujai
Grade 2
Bahrain Indian School
lll
I BELIEVE that parks are one of the first go-to places for young youths to hang out, play, and indulge in a lot of fun activities. The greenery, the silence, the positive vibes have the utmost power to relax a soul and release tension.
During the day young children go to school and afternoon mostly they have coaching. The only time left for them to go out and relax would be in the evening. If the parks shut down early children won’t have a calm place to go.
There can be alternatives to close parks early. One idea could be to increase community engagement and provide more activities for young people to participate in. This way, they have a positive outlet for their energy and can feel more connected to their community.
We can also focus on creating programmes and initiatives specifically designed for young people. For example, organising sports leagues, art workshops or even outdoor movie nights in the parks.
By providing engaging activities, we can give them a sense of belonging and keep them occupied in a positive way. This way they can have fun and enjoy the park while also fostering a sense of community.
Having sports leagues where young people can play their favourite sports like football, basketball or even cricket. It’s a chance for them to showcase their skills, have friendly competitions and build teamwork.
These activities can really make a difference by providing positive outlets and creating a sense of unity.
Saba Hasnain
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