COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 13, 2011

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

That the Manager  report on antisocial behaviour in our parks and public spaces, the number of complaints received, fines issued and interactions with the Gardai arising from complaints.

REPORT:

Anti-social behaviour is an unfortunate aspect of our modern society. The consequences of it impact particularly heavily on our parks and open spaces and while it is more evident in those parks and open spaces that do not have a daily staff presence, the majority of anti-social behaviour takes place during the hours of darkness after the parks have closed and our staff have finished work for the day. 

The following proposals/measures are in place to combat anti-social behaviour:

Physical measures - have been taken to tackle anti social activity in parks include the provision of boundary walls and railings, installation of vehicle control barriers and kissing gates and routine patrolling by the Park Rangers. 

Furthermore the provision of CCTV systems has the effect of deterring anti-social behaviour and activities, principally by displacing the anti-social activity  but unfortunately in some cases only serves to displace to another area which is not covered by cameras. In residential areas, where the location of a camera system is evident, levels of anti-social behaviour fall as the area is avoided. 

Under the ‘Reclaiming Our Parks’ Initiative a sub-group comprising Council Members & officials, representatives of Senior Gardai and South Dublin Community Platform was established: “to deter crime and anti- social behaviour in our parks.” With particular emphasis on the following themes:

Policing our Parks:looking at how we better enhance the monitoring and policing of our parks and the enforcement of our laws and parks bye-laws;

Managing our Parks:looking at how we can better reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour in parks and how best to respond to the affects of anti-social behaviour by the small minority so as not to take from the experience of our parks for the majority;

Activating our Park: looking at how we can better increase positive usage of our parks.

BYE LAWS (currently under review)

http://www.sdublincoco.ie/index.aspx?pageid=6324 

As a result of the substantial social, cultural and policy changes which have taken place since the current Bye-laws came into force in 1996, the Council’s Parks Department is undertaking a complete review of the Bye-laws to ensure that they are up to date and reflective of the issues that now face the Management and users of the Council’s parks, open spaces and recreational playing grounds. These new Draft Bye Laws were advertised in the Local Papers on 12th May. 

The Garda Síochaná continues to actively enforce the provisions of Bye-laws prohibiting the Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor in Public Places within the County of South Dublin on behalf of the Council.

Fixed Payment Notices were issued to offenders as follows;

2010 – 263

2011 – 74 (to 02/06/2011)

PUBLIC REALM

Under the Public Realm Programme initiatives are planned for locations/areas to alleviate black spots and areas subject to anti social activity.

The Council’s Cleansing, Roads Parks Housing and Community Departments actively encourage communities to engage in Tidy Districts, Bulbs Not Bonfires, Designated Bonfire Control Sites, Social Credits Scheme, Community Clean-ups, graffiti removal and other activities that enhance the appearance and contribute to better living conditions.