From our Reader:

Some level of stability might come to the “desert stretch” of Mountain View if the following was done:-

 1.) The clearing of a space of about 8 feet wide and 100 ft long , so that residents who are interested can set up a bend down type of plaza, using materials of their own (not state nor MP provided). Space in this plaza would be allocated to residents from the adjoining communities in a formal none political way. Here the length of the plaza and its visual impact is more important than the total area of the plaza. One is creating a picture of life and peaceful activity. One is also allowing the community to create something “that can be lost” as a result of instability, and because of this no material help should be given.

 2) On the next side of the road area can be created for a container park type business center, where people can set up hair dressing palours, barber shops, car repair shops, tyre patching/ repair shops. Once again only space should be given, people can receive assistance in obtaining small business loans. The length of the plaza is far more important than its depth.

 Distribution by politics must be avoided at all costs, and people must make a real investment.

 The issue facing the state is the acquiring of land for such use on both sides of the road, and getting permits from the KSAC .

 The initial role of the police would be in the identification of the most violent  prone stretch with in the “desert area” (i.e. area in which there is little or no form of business activity or street vending owing to gang violence). It is in this most violent prone stretch that the plazas should be built, thus changing the nature of the location (not shifting violence to elsewhere) and creating safe zones.

 Later it will be the prevention of extortion or take over by gangs.

 Basil Fletcher

Filed under: Current Affairs

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