Calls for CCTV system after public arrests double

THE number of public order arrests in the Ennis district has more than doubled over the past five years with calls made yesterday for the speedy implementation of a CCTV system for the town.

The number of public arrests climbed to 698 in 2007, showing a 33% increase on the 520 arrests made in 2006.

The 698 total compares with 306 public order arrests in 2003.

The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy is accepting submissions from the Ennis public on the installation of the new system, which will involve placing cameras at 17 separate locations throughout Ennis.

Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said: “The sooner the CCTV system is put in place the better. It will help in the effort, but CCTV should not be seen as asolution.”

He added: “The solution is dealing with the culture of a lack of respect for others on our street.”

Mr Dooley said that the increased level of arrests “speaks well of Garda activity”, and that “we must look deeper beyond the arrests”.

Clare’s crime prevention officer, Sergeant Joe Downey said that the CCTV system would be a valuable tool in detecting and preventing crime and would allow citizens to feel more safe on Ennis’s streets.

Ennis is one of 17 remaining locations nationwide that form part of the Garda CCTV programme. Along with the Clare town, the Government has approved CCTV installation in Athlone, Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght, Tullamore and Waterford.

Local politicians and businesses in the area are eager supporters of the new system in Ennis. However, data from Britain shows that there will be no “magic wand” to decrease crime levels when CCTV is installed.

A report by the British-based National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, which was based on Home Office research, revealed that of 24 studies carried out in city centres, only 13 showed crime had fallen since CCTV cameras were installed, while crime rates rose significantly in four other cities.

Limerick city is the nearest large population centre to Ennis where a city-centre wide 24-unit CCTV operation has been in place for the past five years.

Inspector Luke Conlon, of Henry Street Garda Station, is enthusiastic over the benefits of the scheme.

He said: “The CCTV has brought about huge benefit for policing in Limerick in relation to public order.

“Having the crimes in place adds to a sense of safety and there have been instances where we have seen crimes taking place before they have been reported to us.”