Garda Community Safety Week runs from 24 - 30 April 2010.
The Garda Commissioner has designated this coming week (24 -30 April) as Garda Community Safety Week. The week of events will highlight ways people in communities across Ireland can improve safety for themselves and their neighbours by working closely with An Garda Síochána.
Garda Community Safety Week gives Gardaí an opportunity to provide simple and effective crime prevention and personal safety advice to members of the community.
This is the fifth Garda Community Safety Week and theme this year is “Working with Communities”.
In the first three months of this year, the number of burglaries was down by 3% compared to 2009. While this progress is encouraging, Gardaí are appealing to people to be vigilant over the summer months. Recent Garda information suggests that burglars are moving away from taking flat screen TVs, DVDs and other electronic equipment towards taking cash and jewellery which can be quickly exchanged into ready income.
According to Chief Superintendent Clare O’ Sullivan, Community Relations & Community Policing:
“Garda Community Safety Week provides An Garda Síochána, with an additional opportunity, to demonstrate its traditional commitment to Community Policing. An Garda Síochána is committed to bringing about safer communities by positively connecting with people and working in partnership”.
Crime prevention advice will be available through the Garda website, by contacting your local Garda station and through Garda events in the community.
Chief Superintendent O’Sullivan added:
“I appeal to the public, to come forward and meet their local Gardaí and to get involved in activities taking place in their local area as part of Garda Community Safety Week. By establishing community-based partnerships, An Garda Síochána can determine, through consultation, the needs of the community and their policing priorities. The problems presented to and faced by An Garda Síochána cannot be solved by Gardaí working alone. Crime and the prevention of crime is everybody’s business.”
Some of the activities being held during the week will include:
· Community Alert & Neighbourhood Watch meetings
Circulation of Garda crime prevention leaflets and advice at the Punchestown Racing Festival in Co. Kildare, in public reception areas in Garda stations and on the Garda Website www.garda.ie
To increase safety on our roads, a number of strategic ‘High Visibility’ policing initiatives involving Garda Traffic Units will take place during the week. An example of this is ‘Operation Safe Roads’ which is taking place in the Garda Western Region (see below).
Community Gardaí will be visiting a number of schools around the country to give practical advice on staying safe on our roads as well as other tips on crime and personal safety related matters.
The week also places an emphasis on activities aimed at strengthening existing links with members of diverse communities.
Crime prevention advice from An Garda Síochána:
In the first three months of this year, the number of burglaries is down by 3% compared to 2009. While it is encouraging that we are making progress in this area, I appeal to people to be mindful and alert of the possibility of burglaries over the summer months in your home and your neighbourhood. Our recent information suggests, that burglars are moving away from taking flat screen TVs, DVDs and other electronic equipment towards taking cash and jewellery which can be quickly exchanged into ready income. Don’t leave your windows and doors open, even if it’s only for a short period of time, for example while washing your car, mowing the grass, or even driving to the local shops or the school.
As we move into the summer months, we are asking people to be more vigilant to the possibility of an increase of thefts from vehicles. Don’t leave goods on view in your vehicle, for example mobile phones, satellite navigation systems, handbags, wallets, cameras and laptops. You should also double check that your car is locked and the windows are closed. Place any valuables in the boot of the car before you set off on your journey.
The first three months of 2010 have shown an increase in thefts from persons. To reduce incidence of this crime, I am strongly appealing to people to be mindful of your personal safety and ensure that you don’t carry large amounts of cash or valuable goods around with you.
Details of Garda Community Safety Week will be available in local Garda Stations and on the Garda website – www.garda.ie
Local or regional media representatives should contact the relevant Garda district office.
The Garda spokesperson on Garda Community Safety Week (national media) is Chief Superintendent Clare O’ Sullivan, of Garda Community Relations & Community Policing Division.
About Operation Safe Roads:
Operation Safe Roads will take place in Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Galway and Clare from 24th – 30th April place daily, and will include the following activities:
· Gardaí will be present at high visibility daily locations on national primary routes.
Use of VMS (variable message signs) signs with road safety messages at these locations.
· Overt speed detection operations daily on national primary routes within Speed Enforcement Zones or Collision Prone Zones.
· Random stops of HGV’s, PSV’s, commercial vehicles and private vehicles daily.
· Speed detection vehicle with decals (Garda markings) in conjunction with unmarked vehicle.
· To utilise ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recogition) vehicles to identify suspect, uninsured and untaxed vehicles.
Garda Press Office.
