COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

"To ask the Manager for a report on Waterstown Park to include the incidence of vandalism or anti-social activity in the Park which appears to be on the increase after a period of relative calm and to include in the report what has been done, is being done, to make the area safe and to reduce or eliminate the level of annoyance and fear it is causing for local residents?"

REPLY:

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. 

Physical measures that have been taken to tackle anti social activity in Waterstown Park include the provision of boundary walls and railings, installation of vehicle control barriers and kissing gates and routine patrolling by the Park Rangers. In addition to this the staff routinely remove cans and bottles as part of regular maintenance works undertaken in the Park.

There have been 4 reported instances of scrambler bikes being used in the Park in recent times on 7th, 8th, 16th January and on 18th February. On each occasion the Gardaí were informed and although they were not able to respond with a patrol car at the time they committed to calling to the park once a car became available.  Reducing anti-social problems is something that can only be done with the assistance of residents and communities groups living in the area.  It is important that anyone who experiences anti social activities should be encouraged to contact the Gardaí who have the powers to enforce the law under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.