If violence and disorder are everyday facts
of life, is it realistic to believe that social
spaces are oases of peace and civility?
Dark Mode explores the dangers of
socialising after dusk in a city waking up
from lockdown.
As of last year, pubs and
clubs in London’s financial
district were given anti-stab
kits to deal with specialised
first aid situations, too.
And since businesses serving
alcohol have to comply with the
Licensing Act 2003, Kirkman’s
industry training served both
as a source of paranoia and a
security blanket.
"Going out was
totally ruined.
You instantly
spot the cameras,
the undercover
security, the
undercover police.
You’re constantly
on guard
– you’re trained to
be."
Although authorities are
doing everything in their
power to stop the crime curve
from peaking, it appears that
not only bartenders will be
anxiously eyeing the crowds
this summer. In preparation
for keeping us safe in postlockdown
London, Special
Constable Maria Adamska’s
advice to citizens is to
‘always stay with your friends,
and avoid travelling by
yourself’. Joining the police
force during her university
days meant she’d experienced
conflict first-hand and
broken it up on countless
occasions since. There are
precautionary policies put
in place, but pressure to
‘stay out of trouble’ remains
on the individual, because,
even with the help of the
law, there’s only so much
organisations can do. From
sprays that detect illegal
substances on tables to hightech
security screening, it
seems crime always finds a
way. ‘You can have like 30
security guards and people
will still slip in. I’ve
worked places that had metal
detectors, and people would
still bring in knives,’
Kirkman says. We have to look
out for each other.
Perhaps we should learn from
other countries when it
comes to keeping our night
owls safe. Singapore has
one of the world’s lowest
crime rates thanks to its
serious punishment for drunk
and disorderly conduct and
designated ‘Liquor Control
Zones’ where alcohol is
banned on weekends and on
public holidays (Londoners’
peak party hours).
Norway’s anti-drug laws
and investment into street
lighting, on the other hand,
have no doubt contributed to
the fact that 93 percent of
residents feel safe walking
alone in the dark. Moonlit
London may not be an oasis
of peace, but it will always
remain an enchanting place.
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