Launch of crime alerts via text message

A PROJECT, believed to be the first of its type in the county, will see some community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes go hi-tech, with near instantaneous information on crime being made available by gardaí through multiple text messaging.

The system, the brainchild of community liaison garda Noel Fitzgerald, follows on from a successful ‘Business Watch’ scheme he started in the Little Island area of Co Cork.

Gardaí are preparing to launch the text-messaging service in the greater Glanmire area and a series of meetings have been held to explain its purpose. A co-ordinator has been appointed to compile a database of hundreds of vetted mobile phone users who will then be issued with text alerts.