Attendance: Committee Members

Cllr. R. Dowds (Chair)	Cllr. T. Ridge
Cllr. G. O’ Connell	Cllr. Shane O’Connor
Cllr. Joe Neville	Michelle Kearns (Comm. Platform)
Cllr. C. King	Chief Superintendent J. Manley
J. Horan (County Manager)	Cllr. C. Keane
Chief Superintendent D. Coburn	Cllr. T. McDermott
C. O’Connor T.D.	Cllr. E. Walsh
Cllr. K. Warren	J. Lawlor (Comm. Forum)
T. Aspil (Comm. Forum)	Cllr. Jim Daly
Billy Coman Housing Dept. SDCC	Cllr. J. Lahart

  Apologies:

            Also Present:

Pat Smith, W. Sheils, Elaine Leech, Anne Byrne, , Superintendent P. Clavin, Superintendent J. Quirke, Superintendent E. Dolan

 1. Meeting Report of the 21^st November and Matters Arising

 The Committee adopted the report of the meeting of 21 November 2008.

There were no matters arising from this report.

2. Garda Report

 Chief Superintendent Declan Coburn gave the following report from the D.M.R.W. Region

Garda Siochana Act 2005 – Joint Policing Guidelines 17.6

Report of Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Lucan and Ronanstown Stations to the South Dublin County Joint Policing Committee on Friday 6^th  February 2009 –

Chief Superintendent Declan Coburn.

The following is compiled by way of general information, for the period under review, as per Regulation 17.6 in accordance with the headings specified in that regulation

 

Crime Statsitics Jan – Dec 2008 v Jan – Dec 2008

 The total reported Headline Crime figure is up by 4% and the detection rate is up by 3%.

 The total reported Non Headline Crime figure is down by 28% and the detection rate is down by 6%.

 

Station	2008	2007
	Committed	Detected	Det Rate	Committed	Detected	Det Rate
Clondalkin	1016	412	41%	987	351	36%
Rathcoole	282	82	29%	288	87	30%
Lucan	619	242	39%	605	251	41%
Ronanstown	1333	787	59%	1261	702	46%
Totals	3250	1523	47%	3141	1391	44%

 Headline Crime

 Strategies in place

• Operation Anvil – Patrols/ Checkpoints
• High Visibility Policing – Beats / Patrols
• Operation Encounter – To target anti-social behaviour, with extra Public Order Patrols at weekends.
• Operation Schilling – Targets Drug dealing in the area.
• Operation Safe Passage – Combat damage to buses.
• Operation Monsoon – Targets drug dealing in the area.

• Operation Landscape – Targets Drug dealing in the area.
• Operation Stop – operation run in partnership with l, Q and M Districts along with Divisional Traffic (ANPR) targeting the movement of know burglars across Divisional boundaries.
• Operation Deer – targets shoplifting and car crime in Liffey Valley SC.
• Operation Firepoint – Targets Drug dealing and Street level crime in Q District.
• Operation Fox – targeting Public Order/Drug Dealing in Foxdene area of Q District
• Operation Greencastle – Targeting criminal activity in Greenfort/Shancastle estates.

 There is a significant increase in the number of Searches being carried out on Premises with a warrant and under the Misuse of Drugs Act +108%, with a 29% increase in illegal drugs seized, representing a monetary total of over €24 million.

 Assaults are down by 13%

 Arrests for Public Order Incidents are up by 27%

 273 suspected offenders have been dealt with by way of adult caution

 58 Adult and 15 Juvenile ASBO notices have been issued.

 Arrests for Drivers under the Influence have decreased by 45%. 

 A total of 27,817 incidents have been recorded on PULSE for Clondalkin//Rathcoole/Lucan/Ronanstown area for 2008.

   The main partnerships in Clondalkin/Rathcoole/Lucan/Ronanstown Sub Districts supporting Garda initiatives:

• Clondalkin Drugs Task Force
• Business Watch Scheme ( 1) in Clondalkin Village
• Garda Clinics (1), takes place in the Council Offices in Clondalkin village.
• 3 Business watch Schemes in Rathcoole, (City West, Saggart and Newcastle-Lyons)
• Hospital Watch in Peamont Hospital
• RAPID promoting social inclusion in disadvantaged areas.
• North Clondalkin Community Forum. Meeting held fortnightly to discuss local problems
• SDCC. Anti social units. Deals with individual and general anti social problems in North Clondalkin.
• Local Drugs Task Force.
• 3 meetings of the Community Forum were held in Neilstown in 2008 discussing issues of concern. Another is scheduled for April 2009. A similar initiative exists in Lucan with 2 meetings in 2008 and a further 2 planned for 2009.
• A Business Watch scheme exists in Liffey Valley Sc with another planned for Fonthill Retail Park and a Hospital Watch scheme is planned for Hermitage.
• A Dublin Bus Forum exists to tackle issues of concern.
• Youth Diversion and assistance initiatives such as CASP, TOWER, CAROLINE,GRAFT and VALLEY are supported by the Department of Justice, EU Social funding and An Garda Siochana.

 There is 1 Sgt and 10 Gardai attached to the Community Police Unit in Clondalkin and 2 Gardai attached to the unit in Rathcoole. The unit in Clondalkin have 5 pedal cycles that are in regular use.  In Lucan there is 1 Sgt and 7 Gardai and 1 Sgt and 10 Gardai in Ronanstown. Ronanstown have 2 pedal cycles that are in regular use.

 CCTV cameras have been installed in 12 locations in the Clondalkin area, and are currently operational being monitored on a 24hour basis at Clondalkin Station. The locations include Clondalkin Village, Bawnogue, Monastery Road, Ninth Lock Road, Woodford Shops, St Cuthbert’s and Greenpark.

  The Community Council in Rathcoole that the Gardai have regular contact with are looking into a CCTV option for Rathcoole village.

 There is ongoing Garda involvement in the Clondalkin Safety Forum, meeting with Co Councillors, Dublin Bus, E.S.B and various elected representatives.

 Gardai attend meetings and are in regular contact with the Clondalkin Travellers Development Committee.

 There was Garda involvement at meetings with the development committee for the new Community Centre in Knockmitten.

 nspector Frank Dunleavy is appointed as Ethnic Liaison Officer for the L and Inspector Pat O Sullivan in the Q District. Regular meetings take place with the various representatives of the Ethnic groups in the area.

 t should be noted that in any reference to statistics, those statistics are provisional, operational, liable to change and some possibly re-classified with the introduction of Central Statistics Office reports

 A question and answer session followed with a number of points raised and discussed including:

• Link between environmental condition of estates and anti-social behaviour
• Leadership is coming from the female population
• Presence of council representatives at forum meetings
• Lack of amenities leads to anti-social behaviour
• Success of meetings organised by Gardai in local communities

 Chief Superintendent John Manley gave the following report from the  D.M.R.S. Region

Report from Chief Superintendent John Manley, DMR Southern Division to South Dublin Joint Policing Committee on the 06/02/09

 

Report for Tallaght, Rathfarnham, Terenure and Crumlin Stations

 Crime Statistics Jan – December 2008

		2008	2007	Percentage Difference	Detection Rates
Headline Crime	Tallaght	2543	2666	-5%	42
Rathfarnham	1093	1058	+3%	29
Crumlin	563	564	0	45
Terenure	501	566	-11%	29

 The headline crime figures incorporates murder, serious assaults, rape, arson, sale and supply drugs, burglaries, thefts, robberies and fraud offences.

		2008	2007	Percentage Difference
Non Headline Crime	Tallaght	8249	9690	-15%
Crumlin	2647	2707	-2%
Terenure	2462	3297	-25%

 There is a 7% increase in detections for drugs for sale or supply in the Division. The figures are 245 for 2007 compared with 262 in 2008. There has been a significant increase in the number of on street searches for drugs and ongoing targeting of street dealers and suppliers. The figures are 9,088 searches during 2008 compared with 5,465 for 2007. Criminal damage incidents show a reduction of 10%, 2696 for 2008 compared with 3000 for 2007.

 There were 795 detections for drunken driving for 2008 compared with 907 for 2007, a reduction of 12%. This is an indication of greater compliance by the general public coupled with consistent enforcement.

 here were 196 incidents of assault causing harm in the Division in 2008 compared to 178 in 2007 – an increase of 10%. There were 413 minor assaults reported as opposed to 510 in 2007 – a reduction of 19%.

 The installation of 35 CCTV cameras into Tallaght Garda Station covering the town centre and its environs is nearing completion. A total of 21 cameras are generating images but are not fully commissioned. The necessary hardware has been installed in the communications room at Tallaght Garda Station and the control room is fully finished. Work is on-going with the remaining cameras. Records and control computers have been installed. Operator training will be arranged shortly.

•  On 22/10/08 at 6.30am a male was shot at his home in Tallaght. He received serious head injuries and remains critically ill. On 5/11/08 one male person was arrested and questioned in relation to this crime. The investigation is continuing.
• On 15/11/08 a female died at Tallaght Hospital after being found unconscious at her home. A full murder investigation was launched from Tallaght Garda Station. On 21/11/08 a male was arrested in connection with this incident. He was later charged with an offence under Section 4 of the Non Fatal Offence against the Person Act. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail. A file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
• On 19/1/09 a male was fatally shot in Tallaght. Two other youths received non life threatening injuries in the same incident. A murder investigation commenced at Tallaght Garda Station. To date one person has been arrested.

 A discussion followed the presentation and the following items were discussed:

 Drug misuse and seizures

 On behalf of the Committee the Chair congratulated the Gardai on the successful seizures of drugs in the county and Superintendent Quirke explained that there are ongoing operations throughout the county which involve not only the local Gardai but have support form the Horse, Dog and Air Support Units.

  It was agreed that while these seizures are welcome there remains a problem within the County such as young people being used as ‘runners’ and areas where dealing is prolific and that these issues should be looked at.

 Following discussion it was agreed to invite the four local Drugs Task Forces operating in the County to the next meeting in May to give a presentation on the work they do in the County and how the National Drugs Strategy is implemented at local level.

 Anti-Social Behaviour

Cllr. King raised the problem of Council tenants requesting transfers as a result of experiencing the effects of serious anti-social behaviour by neighbours which result in intimidations and threats.  B. Coman informed the Committee that the Council is working closely with the Gardai to see what arrangements can be put in place to address this problem.

 Media

It was agreed that every effort should be made to increase the media profile of the work of the Joint Policing Committee.

  Causes of Crime and anti-social behaviour

 M. Kearns reminded the committee that in accordance with the JPC Guidelines it has a remit to look at the causes of crime and anti-social behaviour in the community.

 3. County Manager’s Report

The County Manager, Joe Horan, gave a comprehensive report on inter-agency working within the county.  He highlighted the work of the Children’s Services Committee and the Inter-Agency Traveller Group as models of good practice.  He also drew attention to the number of new facilities throughout the county that can assist in promoting pro-social behaviour among residents.  He acknowledged the excellent collaboration between the Council and the Gardai and stressed the need for a collaborative approach with the other agencies in addressing the needs and difficulties that lie ahead. 

 The Council is working on a number of initiatives with the support of the Gardai and other agencies. He also acknowledged the difficult economic challenges facing the County and discussed how the Council with other agencies will need to adapt to face these issues. 

 4. Joint Policing Committee Guidelines – Sub-Committee

 P. Smith explained that new guidelines issued in September provide for a more strategic approach by the committee. In accordance with the new guidelines it is advised that each JPC produce an Annual Work Plan.

E. Leech gave a brief presentation on the guidelines.

 The Chair requested that the committee hold a workshop to discuss/prepare an annual Work Plan for the Committee.  All members to be invited to attend. 

 6. Date of next meeting

 15 May 2009 at 3 p.m.

 Business Submitted:

 Cllr. Therese Ridge

Question 1:

 That a meeting take place with Clondalkin Gardai and representatives of Clonburris School and residents of Dunawley, St.Patricks, Michael Collins estates to deal with ongoing vandalising of Clonburris School and surrounding  estates , the youths(including girls) drink alcohol nightly and attempt to set school on fire and need to be apprehended before further damage occurs.

 Reply:

A meeting for Clondalkin residents will be scheduled shortly and issues in relation to Clonburris School will be addressed.  It is anticipated a public policing forum meeting will take place in Clondalkin in the 3^rd week of February.

 Cllr. Robert Dowds

 Question 2:

This committee expresses its disappointment that the Gardai, after numerous
requests from this committee, have not organised a presentation by Store
Street Gardai of an effective community policing programme they have run in
the North Inner City.

 Garda Reply:

Garda management has prepared a report on this matter in conjunction with the HSE. This report is now with the Garda Commissioner. It is envisaged that the model will be rolled out in the near future. We are not in a position to give presentations on this matter until Garda policy has been determined.

 Question 3:

This Committee asks for an update on the operation of the current 60km.
speed restriction on the  M50 including a report on the use of speed cameras
there and on how many drivers have received penalty points since the
restrictions came into force.

 Question 4:

This committee requests that the Gardai give equal attention to both Neilstown & Rowlagh Shopping Centres in order to tackle the drugs problem in both locations.

Reply:

 Garda DMRW

Both areas receive equal attention from both Community Gardai and Drug Units alike and both areas are patrolled regularly by uniformed and plain clothes personnel.  In addition, Operation Firepoint has produced positive results and is continuing.

Question:

To ask the Gardai for a report on any cutbacks affecting Gardai services in the Clondalkin & Lucan areas.

Reply:

Garda DMRW

Garda services are subject to ongoing evaluation and review and are redeployed regularly in order to maximise their efficiency.

  Charlie O’Connor T.D.

Question:

To ask the Manager to furnish a report on actions proposed to deal with the wellpublicised incidents of anti-social behaviour suffered by the community in the new Maplewood Homes Development at the front of Springfield Estate and will he make a statement.

SDCC Reply:

This is a private estate and it is understood that the anti social problems referred to at Maplewood relate to graffiti on the new dwellings but as these are private dwellings the Council is not in a position to deal with them.

 Garda DMRS Reply:

There are 6 reported public order incidents in the Maplewood Area since 1 January 2008.  There are two Community Gardaí attached to Springfield area. 

There is a good working relationship with the Residents Association and the Gardaí, who attend monthly meetings with the Association and contact Gardaí directly if urgent matters occur in the interim.  Gardaí have been in contact with residents previously and this anti-social behaviour appears to be of a transient nature.  Gardai and residents are liaising with SDCC regarding closure of the pedestrian walkway between Maplewood and the N81.

Question:

 To ask the Manager to present an updated report on the provision of CCTV throughout Tallaght and will he make a statement.

 SDCC Reply:

Construction is complete on the three Tallaght Community CCTV schemes in Brookfield/Fettercairn, Jobstown and Killinarden.  The Council is now making the necessary arrangements with the Gardai and the promoters to allow the schemes to become operational.  The promoters of the schemes in Tallaght are Partas Ltd. and Jobstown Community Development Project.

Members will be kept updated.

 Garda Reply:

 There are 21 cameras commissioned out of a total of 35 cameras. The monitoring room at Tallaght Garda Station 90% complete; monitors operational, control desk etc installed. (only electronic equipment now outstanding). There are 21 cameras generating images but not yet fully commissioned.

Work is continuing on the installation of the remainder of the cameras (following agreement with some property owners regarding the location of cameras and poles on their property etc.).

 Question:

 To ask the Manager to present an update on the operation of the Dail A Drug Campaign throughout Dublin South West, will he detail calls and the type of information received and will he make a statement.

 Garda DMRS Reply:

The Dial to Stop Drug Dealing programme was launched in Tallaght Local Drug Task Force area on 16^th October 2008. Between the 16^th October 2008 and the 31^st January 2009, the following facts apply:-

• A Total of 40 pieces of intelligence were received to the Dial to Stop phone line (i.e. Phone 1800220220).
• 11 of these were very vague and follow-up action was not possible by An Garda Siochana.
• 20 resulted in Garda Action taken – e.g. surveillance, searches under the Misuse of Drugs Act, etc…
• 16 of these pieces of intelligence resulted in no seizures of Drugs.
• 4 of these pieces of intelligence resulted in seizures of Drug:

Ø      €130 Cannabis Herb

Ø      €200 Heroin

Ø      €20 Cannabis Resin

Ø      €2400 Cocaine

• 9 pieces of intelligence were received late in January 2009 and follow-up enquiries in regard to these are ongoing.

 Question:

To ask the Manager to detail ongoing action being taken to affective deal with the scourge of graffiti throughout our communities, will he confirm if any prosecutions have taken place in recent times and will he make a statement.

Garda DMRS Reply:

An Anti Graffiti initiative was run in the Tymon area in April 2008 in conjunction with An Taisce, South Dublin County Council and all local schools. This was highly successful.

A Pilot Scheme is being run country wide in 5 areas as a result of the success of this project.  This initiative involved a clean up day in the Tymon area of Tallaght and a painting of a wall in an attempt to divert young people away from Criminal Damage by way of Graffiti.

 A total of 18 incidents of Criminal Damage by way of Graffiti reported in Tallaght since 1^st Jan. 2008.

7 incidents are detected with a total of 10 suspected offenders.

• 1 Caution (offender under 12)
• 6 JLO Cautions
• 2 charges for Criminal Damage before Courts
• 1 Adult Caution.

 Question:

To ask the Manager to detail action being taken to ensure that the bus service to Tallaght West is properly protected to ensure that no threat to the bus service occurs; will he appreciate the strong concerns of the local community that the bus service be preserved without any interruption and will he make a statement.

Garda DMRS Reply:

 The Dublin Bus Forum chaired by Garda Management meets on a monthly basis. Dublin Bus Management and Union Officials attend.

 Members regularly travel on buses in uniform and plain clothes.  Community Gardai travel with Dublin Bus Inspectors when they are patrolling the area.

 At Forum Meetings all incidents recorded by Dublin Bus are reported to Gardai.  Gardai report present position with previously reported incidents.  If incidents of an urgent nature occur they are immediately reported by Chief Inspector Dublin Bus and received priority response from the Gardai.

 Dublin Bus management and Dublin Bus Unions state that the service given to then by An Garda Siochana in Tallaght is outstanding and they could not ask for more and they have no issues with An Garda Siochana.