Community watches to help stop thugs terror

IF GARDAÍ cannot deal with intimidation locally, they will not be able to do so at a national level, Deputy Commissioner Martin Callinan said yesterday.

Neighbourhood policing, he said, was a very important platform to unite communities.

Mr Callinan said intimidation of communities was one of the many challenges facing the gardaí, particularly in large urban centres of the population.

In Limerick at the national launch of a new five-year Neighbourhood Watch programme, he said such initiatives helped the gardaí bring many crime issues to a head.

Mr Callinan said a lot of work had been done to set in place the deployment of 100 additional gardaí to Limerick, promised by the Government prior to the last election, as part of the Fitzgerald regeneration plan for Southill and Moyross.

But he said requirements changed according to circumstances and it was not just a question of sending 100 gardaí into one area.

Mr Callinan said: “Resources will be committed to areas where we see priorities and that is something we are constantly monitoring, and the commissioner is very aware of issues in various locations and that

resources will be provided.”

Pressed on actual additional numbers already

deployed to Southill and Moyross, Mr Callinan said he did not have precise figures.

He said: “There are plans for additional gardaí. I don’t have precise figures, but I do know that up to 80% of that is already in place and I know that it is something being worked with local management.

“It is an ongoing process where we are looking at

resources.”

Asked if 80% meant 80 guards, he said: “My understanding is that we have met substantially about 80% of the commitment in terms of what is promised for the area.”

He said Neighbourhood Watch remained a flexible initiative that could be adapted to meet local community needs in our fast- changing society.

“There are a number of challenges facing Irish society in the policing arena.

“Neighbourhood Watch is in position to assist in dealing with some important aspects, including anti-social behaviour, quality of life, racism, safety of older and vulnerable people, domestic violence and road safety,” he said.