Text alert system to give communities live updates on crime

Community organisations in west Waterford are to get live information on crimes and suspicious activity as part of a new text alert system.

Gardaí will disseminate the information free to Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert groups who will then forward it to locals in what is hoped will be a valuable tool in the fight against crime

Superintendent Michael Leacy, who is in charge of the Dungarvan Garda District, said the system would be operated in conjunction with Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch schemes across an area which has a population of 10,000.

The president of Muintir Na Tire’s Community Alert, Ballyduff native John Hogan said the scheme has the full support of his organisation.

People living in areas which are controlled by the following garda stations are being urged to sign up to the system: Dungarvan, Ballymaccarbry, Cappoquin, Lismore, Tallow, Aglish, Ardmore, An Rinn and Ballyduff.

Supt Leacy said the text alert scheme had been sponsored by the Dungarvan Shopping Centre.

“Special thanks are extended to Gerry O’Connor, manager of the Dungarvan Shopping Centre. When the scheme was discussed with him, there was an instant offer of sponsorship,” Supt Leacy said.

Information relating to suspicious activity, a crime, or crime prevention advice will be disseminated through the coordinators of Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch, who can spread the word in their local communities.

Sergeant Andrew Geary said Community Alert was established in 1985 to deal with similar crimes which are prevalent today.

“There was a rise in burglaries nationally, social and economic problems were to the fore then and people wanted to find ways to address this. Therefore, we need all the groups to ensure the Garda database of numbers is up-to-date,” Sgt Geary said.

Sergeant Mark Allen, senior sergeant in Dungarvan, said he hoped more people would join Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert organisations so they could avail of the text messaging information.

Sergeant Sean O’Dwyer said Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch schemes immediately put criminals on their guard.

“There is a need for neighbours to watch out for each other especially for the vulnerable,” the sergeant said.

* Contact Dungarvan Garda Station at (058) 48600.