COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE
Friday, April 11, 2008
QUESTION NO.
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor, TD
- To ask for a statement by the Garda Superintendent at Tallaght on his views regarding the campaign for a second Garda Station in Tallaght
- To ask for an updated report on the progress towards the provision of CCTV in Tallaght
- To ask for a report on initiatives taken by Tallaght Gardai in respect of the need to protect our Parks for the good of the community
- To ask for a report on co- operation between An Garda Siochana and the operators of the LUAS to protect the service from crime and vandalism
REPLY:
1. The opening of a second Garda station in Tallaght would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administration duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties. The Garda Commissioner has forwarded a proposal to install 35 CCTV cameras in Tallaght Town Centre. South Dublin County Council fully support the principles of the project. They have made a number of comments in relation to the proposals which are presently being considered by the Project Management Team.
2. The following initiatives are in place in the Tallaght District to tackle problems in the Green areas:
· Community Gardai are in possession of keys to all the big parks in Tallaght to allow ease of access 24/7;
· Problem areas are identified in green areas on a weekly basis and then blitzed with mountain bike and beat patrols;
· Public Order Vans are utilised on a nightly basis to combat Public Order in the green areas;
· School talks are given regarding anti social behaviour in the parks to Primary and Secondary Schools;
· Regular liaising with Estate Management, Neighbourhood Watch, Residents Associations and Community Groups in relation to local concerns and issues in the Green Areas;
· Off licences are visited and advised on a regular basis regarding the sale of alcohol to underage persons, or to others who in turn are supplying underage persons;
· Behavioural Warnings for anti-social behaviour are issued pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act 2006 when appropriate.
· A ‘Community Safety Initiative’ is currently being analysed in West Tallaght by 2 groups, namely the Community Development Initiative (CDI) and by RAPID. Gardai are actively involved in both these initiatives.
· There are 4 Community Based CCTV initiatives in West Tallaght – currently under development by RAPID and fully supported by An Garda Siochana in Tallaght.
· Plain clothes patrols are utilised to carry out surveillance in the parks – specific offences under the Public Order Act, the Intoxicating Liquor Acts, etc are targeted through such surveillance.
· Community Gardai will liaise with the Graffiti Unit in SDCC to initiate a joint operation to combat graffiti in Tallaght. Graffiti is a huge problem across the sub district with every park being affected.
3. Community Gardai in Tallaght, the Divisional Traffic unit based in Terenure, and the Air Support Unit have liaised and arranged operations to target the use of mopeds, motor bikes, etc on the green areas in Tallaght. Previous operations have resulted in the seizure of a large number of bikes.
4. There is a Luas Red Line Liaison Group in existence. This group meets formally on a bi-monthly basis. These meetings are minuted, actioned and are circulated to each Superintendent along the line.
The group consists of Sgt Mark Redmond and Inspector Edgeworth and a Garda from each station along the line i.e. Clondalkin, Kilmainham, Sundrive Road, Kevin Street, Bridewell and Store Street. The group also includes the Luas Head of Security Dan Quill and his Colleagues.
– Chief Superintendent John Manley
4. There is on-going liaison with LUAS Operators and pro-active and reactive patrolling is in place. Regular meetings are held with LUAS Operators and every effort is made to ensure the smooth operation of the Transport system. - Chief Supt. John Twomey, DMR West