A Force To Be Proud Of

A Force To Be Proud Of

It’s just over 30 degrees Celsius and it is only just gone 9am. I’m sweating buckets and wanting to dive into the nearest swimming pool yet the man in front of me seems to be as cool as you like. The man in question is Inspector Anthony Agius – head of the Maltese mobile police fleet.

 

‘I’ve done over 32 years of service with the force’, the inspector tells me. With many an interview under his police belt it is now his turn to be grilled – by me. I was invited to GHQ, Florianna for the open day. Surrounded by marching police bands, horse displays and classic police vehicles of days gone by, I can’t help but glance over at the mid-eighties Ford Granada in black. It has a flag on the grill and would once ferry the high members of state to and from appointments. I recognise this not only because it is British but that my late Father had one. With its 2.8 litre petrol engine is was good fun riding through the countryside of the UK in it. And it is here Malta’s ‘love affair’ with Ford really began. I ask why Ford, ‘One of the reasons is that the parts are cheaper and easy to get hold of’ replies the inspector.

 

Fast forward (excuse the pun) nearly 30 years and there are a new set of Ford’s catching my eye – the new Mobile Squad cars. Recently purchased by the Maltese government in a €1.22m budget these fast response cars are designed to get anywhere within a matter of minutes. The sole aim of them is to tackle violent and sometimes armed crime – something that has recently been big news in Malta.

 

I meet Sgt Nicky Farrugia – he’s an officer with years of experience with the squad - he takes me through what they carry onboard. From powerful torches, road signs and a rifle there is one thing that catches my attention, the Taser. The X26 is used by police forces around the world and can be used to deploy of 50,000 volts of electricity via two pins shot into any one deemed violent or threatening. Instantly disabling the muscles temporarily in order to make a quick arrest.

 

With a total of over 23 brand new police cars on the streets and having seen the traditional white and blue livery I ask the inspector, why silver? ‘We chose the colour silver as this has a higher heat resistance and it reflects our new blue livery better’. The predecessor Ford Focus from 2006/8 opts for the darker blue and sits next to the latest model on the fleet. It is clear he is right. Inspector Agius mainly handled the whole project from import to creating the livery on the side of the cars you see today.

 

They are not short on power either. Packing over 120bhp from a 1.6 petrol engine (yes, 1.6) this has to be Ford’s best engine yet. OK, it does not sound a lot compared to some vehicles with blue lights but ask yourself this, does Malta really need anything more powerful? And you will hear and see them coming. Slim line blue lights sit on the roof in a T-bar with integrated spot lamps and mini strobes in the grill ensure you can see them coming. With a 100 Watt siren to boot there is no doubt you will hear them!

 

Handling I am assured is superb. ‘We had a driving course from an Italian rally driver who really knew how to get the most out of the cars when we test drove them!’ says inspector Agius with a smile in his voice. Anyone who has driven in Italy probably knows what he is talking about!

 

Interior is no different to a family based saloon expect for the police radio, GPS unit and soon to be ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) something that the UK is already using to tackle car crime. The only difference is your boot is probably used to shopping and not a taser.

 

Joining the mobile squad are 2 new panel vans – acting as mobile police stations that will soon could be upgraded to command units. Four Land Rovers (partly funded by the EU) ensure access to made easy to remote areas each with a powerful 8.4 KVA generator. They can go where the two new flat bed Iveco floodlight trucks cannot.

 

Having worked with a Roads Policing Unit back in the UK what I saw on this day really has brought us into a new and modern crime-fighting fleet. Gone are the faded blue lights of some cars that have clocked up many miles (some over 300,000).  In place is a squad ready and fit to tackle the crimes of the 21 Century.

 

The public gave mixed reactions when the fleet upgrade was announced in the beginning of May 2012 – could the money have been better spent on the ambulance service for instance or used to pay for police overtime. After seeing first hand the work of these new vehicles and the dedicated proud people who use them we as a nation should be proud too.

 

Ben Glover is a freelance writer and broadcaster. Ben presents ‘Brunch to Lunch’ 130pm-330pm weekdays and the Hot 30 Countdown Sunday’s from 1230pm on 89.7 Bay.

 

Article seen in the latest editiong of Wheelspin magazine or www.wheelspin.com.mt

 

 

Time pass when you HAD fun…

This really is the final straw. I can cope with having gre…sorry, silver hair. I can cope with being a Dad and giving up my precious sports coupe for a more ‘practical’ machine. I can also deal with the fact that instead of being the pupil I am now the teacher. Turning 30 was never an issue and if I am honest I couldn’t wait for the piss up.

There is however one thing that really made me wake up to the fact that old age is creeping up faster than a bus load of Jeremy Kyle fans heading to the nearest Gregg’s bakery…the fitness app on my iPhone. All of a sudden I have gone from the ‘20-30’ age bracket gym routine to the 30-40. An app telling me that I should be doing ‘less weight at my age’ and reminding me I am no longer 29 really is a kick on the balls!

Recently at the place I work I was given the task to look after our Maltese national breakfast show. For years our brekkie jock had been doing a great job sustaining the figures, playing the hits and keeping the station at number one in the country. This week he turned 27. The challenge is now trying to get the best out of him and be more life style with his work on-air. Last year he got married has since become a Father and really has shed loads to talk about. Plenty of quality life points to relate to the audience. I then found myself doing something I’d never thought I would. I drew a ‘life arch’ chart as replicated by my old ‘Aussie’ programme director.  (There was a time back in the UK when the radio industry had more Australians running the place then Sydney itself. They came to the UK, brought their BBQ’s, fell in love with a Brit, probably from the same radio station, then went back to enjoy themselves in the sun with one of our Pommie lasses. Fair play).

The Aussies regardless of how wanky the formatting and structures were they are however excellent programmers. I remember my old boss in his thick ‘Summer Bay’ accent draw me this arch of my life starting one end with the number 20 and ending up at 30. This was to replicate my years and highlight all the life points I had gained in my career. At 20 it started off as me meeting a different girl most weekends, getting pissed in various cities around the UK and not having a care in the world. As the finger moved up the arch past my early twenties to 25 I was gaining responsibilities, attempting a relationship and settling down a bit (even had a reasonably sensible car). Over the hump and down towards 30 my hair was going (slightly) silver, my gym had slowed down and a belly was forming. I’d also become a Dad and got fired. Twice. The life arch. Another blow just below the belt.

Whilst painting this picture out to our breakfast guy it suddenly hit me is what I did in the first part of the arch made me what I am today? Had I done all I did to be the person I am today? Had I worn myself out, peaked too early? Not coming home on a Saturday night really had taken its toll. Don’t get me wrong; I actually wouldn’t change a thing about my life, as I believe in destiny. Destiny, however, has a way of creeping up on you and making you feel old. It also has a point when I tried the 20-30 fitness regimes. I was knackered!

So, the morale of the story; don’t wear yourself out in the 20-30 years old category. Save it for your 30+ and go fill your boots.

 Ben Glover is 32, lives in Malta with his wife and son. He is a broadcaster/DJ and writer for magazines plus other publications. The Daddy Cool Box is currently weekly (ish) and an escapism for Dads and frustrated petrol heads! For more info e-mail direct: gloverfreelance@gmail.com

Machines that save lives.

Machines that save lives

                                             

The Malta Red Cross; what are you thinking; a group of volunteers who have an old ambulance and administer first aid at marathons and special events? Wrong. A group of 25-30 highly trained people with some of the best equipment in southern Europe, and they do this in their spare time, for free.

From their base in Pembroke I turn up early on a Saturday morning at the former stables to see five young volunteers cleaning out two immaculate 1990’s Ford Transits that once raced around the roads of the UK in order to save a life. Now they are having a second chance to do just that on our islands.

Behind me under a canopy sits the flagship of the fleet, affectionatly known as ‘Lola’. Originally seeing service in the Liverpool ambulance Service she was donated by our President and now sits proud in her Batten-burg paint job sporting a big Malta Red Cross. Stepping inside Lola you can be assured that you would be made comfortable as her 2.4 TDCi engine with over 100hp takes you to the comfort of a hospital bed.

Lola is part of a five strong fleet that saw action in the Libya crisis. At a moments notice they were all (and still are) deployed to pick up injured soldiers from flights into Malta and then transport them to Mater Dei hospital. Of course a subject that has caused a bit of debate recently. That aside, without the Malta Red Cross it would not have been possible to complete this mission. And what’s more it wasn’t just the fleet of Transits and Mercedes that helped out on the job.

It’s not just the emergency situations where the MRC come in handy. They get deployed to some of the islands biggest events alongside the Malta Community Chest fund. In the summer they provided the First Aid to the Isle of MTV. I am sure if Snoop Dog pulled a muscle while dancing around the stage or became ill he’d be well looked after, even if the ‘Dawg’ were a bit of a diva.

The organisation is backed up with the strongest 4x4’s that will handle any terrain. The Toyota Hilux pickup with its on-board stretchers and winches will take care of anything in its path. Flanked closely by a series 3 Land Rover both their 2.5 diesel engines not only make life economical but powerful enough for the job. Each specified to emergency standards I know I’d be glad to see these if I was off-road. There is even room in there for the specially adapted mountain bikes which have been used for various marathon’s and marches all over the islands. If they weren’t enough the quad bike is capable enough of getting anywhere whilst being able to carry the injured on specially adapted stretcher.

Next to Lola sits a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) which is hoped will be operational for next summer. Powered by two 70hp Yamaha engines this will be one of the fastest rescue boats in the Med. Being a qualified powerboat pilot I myself know how incredible manoeuvrable this vessel can be. Having worked with the RNLI on the south coast of England last year I know how vital these machines are. It’ll need a bit of work and some funding yet with the teams amazing spirit I know this will be achieved.

After spending such a short time here it is hard to believe that with sky high over-heads the MRC rely totally on funding and generosity. I was so touched by the team’s dedication to the job and the machines that indeed do save lives. In fact, I was so impressed I have joined them. So, do something positive today let’s look after our very own Malta Red Cross…you never know when you might need them.

If you would like to be part of the team or indeed help with funding contact them now: 79000112 or info@redcrossmalta.org.mt

Ben Glover
(Originally published for 'Wheelspin' magazine September 2011)

 Ben Glover is 32, lives in Malta with his wife and son. He is a broadcaster/DJ and writer for magazines plus other publications. The Daddy Cool Box is currently weekly (ish) and an escapism for Dads and frustrated petrol heads! For more info e-mail direct: gloverfreelance@gmail.com

Time for change...NEW Malta

I woke this morning thinking how clear the air now seems. Living off the Regional road in Swieqi I am not a stranger to the rude awakening of a ‘Cummins Turbo 340’ that is ‘Made in Heaven’. Don’t get me wrong I loved the old buses however it is time move on. And have you also noticed that our roads are getting a slow transformation? My workhorse, the aging Daewoo Racer normally loses a mirror or a camshaft in the way to the gym as it hits more holes than Tiger Woods in a golf cart. I quite like this ‘New Malta’.

However, driving around I have seen something that shocks me right through to the core. It is something that I am actually really passionate about and saddens me every time I see it, yet I am helpless to do anything. Until now. I am talking about seat belts. Since 1995 it has been compulsory to wear them and from 2004 in the back for rear passengers. In a country that is populated by more cars than citizens the results could be catastrophic if not fatal.

Some of the biggest culprits are 4x4 drivers. Now, I am a fan of SUV’s and off-roaders, in fact when I win the lotto I’ll be the first to buy the new BMW X5 M. But don’t think because the bigger the car the safer it is. Of course, it will be a lot less of an impact for you, maybe not so lucky for the car in front. Only last night a Mitsubishi Shogun pulled up outside my house with three children in the back not wearing any seat belts. The wife had to stop me from walking out of my gate to have a word. That's how much it annoys me.

You maybe thinking, ‘What right does he have to say what I can or cannot do?’ You are right. Still in a crash at 48kph/30mph, if you are unrestrained, you will hit the front seat, and anyone in it, with a force of between 30 and 60 times your own body weight. Think about it. That’s at least one fully-grown elephant at a speed you think is not that quick. This could be our children. In a place where car journeys are short an the average speeds are 60 kph in places and the roads are in a poor condition the next drive you take may not be so straight forward.

I know some insurance companies are not paying out if you are injured in a car accident and were not wearing a seatbelt. Having closely worked with the Hampshire Constabulary in the UK and a volunteer with the Roads Policing Unit I have heard horror stories and seen the impact of not wearing a seatbelt. Having sat in the passenger seat of an un-marked police car on the UK’s motorways most of the offenses committed were; 1) speeding, 2) speeding whilst on a mobile and 3) speeding without wearing a seatbelt. This carries heavy penalties and points on your license. The insurance goes up and then you are unable to feed your children for at least a month as well as being divorced by your wife for being an idiot. 

OK, we do not have any motorways on the Maltese islands, however as previously mentioned even at just over 48kph the impact can be severe.

My Daewoo Racer (badged Vauxhall Belmont in 80's) maybe knocking on in years yet it still has that ‘annoying’ noise that reminds me that I have no seatbelt on. Most modern cars have this only for the front passengers, sadly the rear ones don’t. With the exception of the Citroen C4 Picasso. My wife used to sell these and so we had one at least once a month. A great car, and if you are not strapped in the bong gets louder until you can pretty much not hear the world around you. My son will not under any circumstances let me drive my car until everyone in it is strapped in. And he’s only five.

I hope the Maltese government’s Verona Charter promoting road safety through education continues to highlight this issues and that we can take this seriously. For me it seems to have all gone a bit quiet.

Please forgive me, I do not want to sound like your Father or plan a protest in the streets but surely if we are a ‘New Malta’ we owe it not just to ourselves but those around us, especially the kids.


Ben Glover
(Originally published for 'Wheelspin' magazine September 2011)


Ben Glover is 32, lives in Malta with his wife and son. He is a broadcaster/DJ and writer for magazines plus other publications. The Daddy Cool Box is currently weekly (ish) and an escapism for Dads and frustrated motorists! For more info e-mail direct: gloverfreelance@gmail.com