COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 13, 2022

HEADED ITEM NO.6

Report of Joint Policing Committee Meeting held at 10 a.m. on Friday, 22^nd April 2022 via Microsoft Teams

The Chair, Cllr. Emma Murphy, opened the meeting at 10 a.m.

1. Election of the Joint Policing Committee Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson 

• Cllr Lynn McCrave was nominated as Chairperson of the Committee by Cllr Peter Kavanagh (Mayor) and the appointment was seconded by Cllr Baby Pereppadan.
• Cllr Emma Murphy nominated Cllr Shane Moynihan as Vice Chair, and this was seconded by Cllr Lynn McCrave.

2. Presentation by Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Taskforce
   

TD&AF co-ordinator Ms. Grace Hill gave a presentation: “The Landscape of Substance Misuse and its Impact on the Communities of Tallaght’s Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.

The presentation outlined the methodology used for the latest research, the areas of disadvantage and the evidence that shows the link between areas of socio – economic inequality and drug related risk.  It highlighted that various findings including:

• research found the scale of addiction issues in the TDATF area is among the highest in the country
• crack cocaine was identified as the starkest substance misuse issue facing front line drug services
• research also found that almost all problematic drug use has some element of polydrug use attached to it
• all clients are presenting with complex issues, and this impacts on the community
• many crack cocaine users are too chaotic to engage with services
• intimidation within the community is a significant issue
• the need for more community Gardaí in Tallaght was reinforced through the stakeholder consultations.

3. Presentation: Community Engagement Issues – proper use of scramblers and quads

Andrew O’Byrne of Moyross Motor Club delivered a presentation on the work of the Moyross Motorcross Club in Limerick.  The presentation highlighted the challenges in finding a solution in which young persons and the community can get the benefit without having to change the behaviour and to move from an Anti-Social Problem to a Pro-Social Problem.  It is a complex issue with many factors involved. It has caused huge controversy particularly in light of recent high-profile accidents and media coverage.  Moyross Motorcross Club is a vehicle for community building and has set up a programme for youths which includes motorcycle maintenance, driver theory test, participation, roads policing involvement, fitness programme and Motorcross competitions.  The project is prohibited from using mechanically propelled vehicles in places designated as public under the Road Traffic Act.  Members are encouraged to only ride bikes in acceptable areas and there is a waiting list to get accepted on to the program in the area. 

The club promotes public safety and riding in designated areas through the disciplined sport of Motorcross.

The Roads Policing Unit are involved and provide competency testing, tuition, and safety education.

The following challenges to communities where scrambler and quad bikes are causing issues were outlined:

• Young people on motorbikes and quads causing major nuisance and significant risk to themselves.
• Significant risk to others in the community.Typically have no helmets, boots, body armour,

• Never having received driving instruction on motocross.
• No empathy with the concerns of community.
• No discipline.
• No capabilities in safety checks, maintenance and driving techniques.
• Carry very young children as passengers on the back or worse still on the front of bikes.
• Anti-social problem
• A lot of effort required to address the issue

The opportunities for a successful club were also outlined:

• Promoting the sport of motocross
• With all the protective gear, helmets, body armour, boots etc.
• Educating around the RTA regulations
• Building empathy with the community concerns
• Instilling discipline
• Engaging young people in a meaningful and purposeful way
• Reducing the risks
• Increasing the enjoyment
• Pro-social programme
• Relationships
• Team building
• Exposure to other motorcycle groups
• Club identity

There are a number of other considerations to be factored in such as:

• Insurance – very necessary part of organising the project, resolved somewhat by having membership.
• Costs- it is an expensive pastime, repairs and equipment are expensive.
• Equipment – integral part of running the programme properly and safely
• Repairs - are an ongoing consideration to be factored into any budget
• Staffing - key staff and supervision are crucial to the success of the project
• Expertise - particularly on the mechanical and driver instruction side can be difficult to source.
• Public perception – a thin line, it is a contentious issue with people having different opinions.
• Carrot/Stick - it is probably a balance of this approach most likely to succeed
• Enforcement – this on its own is not working in its current guise but is crucial to use in tandem with intervention option. Confiscating bikes from people blatantly flaunting road traffic laws and not appearing to have any consideration whatsoever for community safety sends a strong message that this behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
• Over 18’s – we view the behaviour of under eighteens in a different manner to adults and therefore the response should be different also. Whatever about trying to challenge and change the behaviour of a young person on a motorbike and offer alternatives, an adult in their 20’s or 30’s engaged in this behaviour particularly carrying toddlers on the fronts of bikes should not be tolerated and needs enforcement to play its part.
• Support for communities – beleaguered communities need support from statutory agencies to enforce existing rules, regulations, and laws.
• Competition - great healthy ways of engaging and utilising high-octane energy and skill
• Buying bikes – can be contentious from a public perception point of view, but important in that a lot of the nuisance elements are cheap imports that don’t run well and can’t get parts for when they inevitably break down
• Scalability – i.e., get the model right on a small scale and build.
• Logistics – requires some forethought, getting to venues, a van, cleaning, a portable power washer, water supply, food, this can all help build team
• They think they know a lot, but they don’t - they are all experts originally and don’t need to learn anything, from our previous experience going slowly evidencing control and balance are the hardest competencies to master and most frustrating.

Following a discussion on the current issues regarding the misuse of Scrambler and Quad bikes and the recent accident in Sean Walsh Park, the JPC Committee agreed to set up a JPC Community Engagement-Scrambler and Quad bike subcommittee to address the issues.  Representatives from Public Realm, the Community Department and the JPC will form this subcommittee.

It was also agreed to arrange a visit for the subcommittee to Moyross Motorcross Club to see how the club works there and to investigate if a similar club could be set up in South Dublin.

A letter from the JPC Chairperson is to be sent to the family of the child who was injured in Sean Walsh Park on behalf of the committee.

4. Minutes of Previous Meeting & Matters Arising

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Friday 28^th January 2022 had been circulated and were proposed by Deputy John Lahart, seconded by Cllr. Carly Bailey and agreed as a true record of the previous meeting with no matters arising.

5. Correspondence

There was no correspondence for noting.

6. Governance

The PPN nominated Rita Harte and John Conroy to fill the two PPN Vacancies on the JPC Drug Subcommittee.

Councillor membership on Ballyfermot LPF has been sought and currently awaiting a response from the Chair of the LPF Cllr Vincent Jackson.

7. Garda Reports

7.1 Tallaght & Rathfarnham – DMR South

Chief Supt. Duff gave a presentation with an overview of activity and statistics for the area which included the following:

Increases in Domestic Violence, Burglary, Theft, Criminal Damage, Unauthorised Taking of Vehicles, Breach of Protection Orders, Possession of Offensive weapons, and detection of drivers under the influence of drugs and intoxication.

Slight increase in robbery from persons.

Ongoing engagement with transport stakeholders LUAS and Dublin Bus.

7.2 Clondalkin & Rathcoole– DMR West

Chief Supt. Murphy presented a report including the following key points:

Increases in Assault Causing Harm, Burglary, Theft from Shop and MPV, Unauthorised Taking of Vehicles, Public Order Incidents, Breach of Domestic Violence Orders and Domestic Violence.

Significant Crime reported:

• Shooting on the Nangor Road, Clondalkin where a shot was fired into a car stationary on the road on March 7, 2022. Male arrested on the March 10^th – File sent to the DPP.
• Following two robberies at Costcutters, Main Street, Clondalkin on March 3^rd & 4^th where male with a knife robbed premises. Male arrested on March 5^th, charged and currently in custody.
• Male arrested following robbery at Circle K, Brownsbarn on January 30^th, 2022 – File sent to DPP.
• Male deceased following a dangerous driving event on January 23, 2022, at Robinhood Road. Arrests have been made and a file being prepared for DPP.

7.3 Lucan & Ronanstown – DMR West

Chief Supt. Murphy, presented an update on activities in the area including the following:

Increases in Criminal Damage, Possession of Drugs for Personal use, Breach of Domestic Violence Orders, Assault Causing Harm, Burglary, Theft from Shop, Unauthorised Taking of Vehicles and Fraud and

Significant Crime reported:

Five Domestic Burglaries occurred in the Lucan area on the morning of the 11^th January 2022. Suspect in custody. All stolen property was recovered.

Significant Detections regarding Possession of Drugs for Sale and Supply:

• On the 21^st January 2022 at Shackleton Terrace, Lucan – Heroin to the value of €36,000.
• On the 23^rd February 2022 at Johnsbridge, Lucan – Cannabis to the value of €28,000.

Due to the increase in Domestic Violence incidents, it was suggested a presentation be given at a future JPC.

8. Local Policing Fora Reports
   
   8.1 Clondalkin LPF:No meetings have taken place in 2022.
   
   8.2 D12 LPF:Report of the D12 LPF noted. Public Meeting taking place in Mother McAuley Centre, Drimnagh on Tuesday 24^th May 2022 at 7.30 p.m.

8.3 West Tallaght Community Safety Forum: The West Tallaght Community Safety Forum report was noted. A public meeting will take place in Autumn 2022.

8.4 North Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerstown LPF:  The North Clondalkin LPF Report was noted.  A public meeting will take place in Autumn 2022.

9. JPC Annual Report 2021

The JPC Annual Report 2021 was circulated in advance of the meeting and agreed by the Committee.

10. JPC Subgroups: Drug Subcommittee.

The JPC Drugs Subcommittee presented a report on Drug Debt Intimidation and the Drug Debt Intimidation Safe Home Scheme.

The JPC Committee agreed to fund €4,000 to set up the Drug Debt Intimidation Safe Home Scheme - €2,000 to the Clondalkin Drugs & Alcohol Task Force and €2,000 to the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.

Both Taskforces are to report back to the JPC at the end of 2022.

10. Any Other Business

It was agreed that the next JPC meeting would be a hybrid meeting.

Grace Hill asked if there was any update on the legislation surrounding the use of Nitrous Oxide?  Deputy Lahart and Deputy Crowe agreed to work together and progress this issue.

11. 2022 Schedule of Meetings

The following is the proposed schedule of Joint Policing Committee meetings in 2022:

10 a.m. Friday 16th September 2022 (hybrid – Council Chamber)

10 a.m. Friday 18th November 2022 (venue tbc)

The meeting ended at 12.05 p.m.