In the 18 months since the adoption of the Council's Anti-Social Policy, the operation of the Council's Anti-Social Service has been completely reviewed with a view to the full implentation of the Policy document.

The following statistics illustrate the level of activity and action during 2006 to date -

 

509          Files under investigation at present date

1120       Complaints received

1361       Housecalls

607         Formal Interviews

110         Warnings Issued

374         Garda Consultations

 

The Anti-Social Team have served Notice to Quit in 22 cases since January 2006.

Of these -

 

6 tenants have vacated property on foot of NTQ

2 cases have court dates set in November and December

4 cases are awaiting court dates

2 cases about to be referred for court dates

8 cases awaiting completion of Notice period

 

On occasion tenants, in order to avoid being evicted by the Council, will surrender their accommodation when the Anti-Social team have initiated enforcemenct action against them. In 2006 to date this has taken place in 8 cases.

 

The Anti-Social team have been involved in pursuance of Excluding Orders in 3 cases.

 

Council's Approach 

 

It is acknowledged that the perception of the Council's approach may well have been that a "softly, softly" approach is taken. However, this is not the case and the perception is undergoing change at present. The Anti-social team recognises that the key to the council's ability to deliver the service is that residents trust that their complaints will be investigated thoroughly and acted on accordingly. The statistics given above are evidence that the Council is willing to take the type of action required to deal with the problem where cases can be developed to a point where such action can be justified. The impact of such things as the actions listed above, quarterly statistical reports to Area Committees, recent newspaper articles, information leaflets, public meetings, awareness campaigns etc  are combining to ensure that the perception of the Council's approach is changing.

 

The Council has a responsibility to ensure that its enforcement action recognises and honours the rights of both the person accused of engaging in Anti-Social behaviour and the victim. As a result, the Council's approach must be to take every case on its own merits in order that fairness and due process are brought to bear in the conduct of investigations and action taken. While it is accepted that this can sometimes lead to frustration at a perceived inaction by the Council, this approach allows the rights of the Victim to be placed at the heart of the process.

 

Anti-social tenants are offered the opportunity to vindicate their own rights through a system of Warnings and/or Welfare supports where required. Where the Anti-Social tenant does not accept such opportunity then the Council will prioritise the rights of the victim and community. Failure on the part of Anti-social tenants to co-operate with the Council or it's agents in this regard will result in pursuance of enforcement action, up to and including eviction.

 

Case development process can only be effective if Residents fulfill their role in giving information to the Council and An Gardai. It has been a problem in the past that vague, annecdotal evidence without any detail or specifics was the main type of complaint passed to the Council. The anti-social team have developed a reporting mechanism and techniques where more specific information is sought which can then be investigated thoroughly. Such information is received, and treated, as highly confidential and as such is exempt from Freedom of Information and disclosure in court.

 

The Council is fully committed to fulfilling it's obligations to the Residents of Estates throughout the county and to dealing with Anti-social behaviour in an effective way.