Ivana Bacik
Question:997. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the progress which has been made following the roll-out of Operation Citizen; and if there are plans to expand the project. [17619/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (997)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for all operational policing decisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
Operation Citizen was commenced with a view to assuring people that Dublin City is safe through high visibility patrolling and community engagement. The Operation commenced in October 2021 for the purpose of providing reassurance to citizens, visitors and the business community that Dublin city centre is a safe place in which to visit, conduct business, socialise and enjoy its amenities.
The aim of the operation is to deliver an enhanced high visibility policing presence in the city centre on a daily basis. Operation Citizen focuses on a collaborative community and stakeholder engagement approach, recognising that many of the issues that manifest themselves in the core city centre, require a response that reaches beyond the Garda Síochána alone.
An Garda Síochána continue to positively engage with key stakeholders including Dublin City Council, business groups, the hospitality sector and voluntary bodies in addition to the formal collaboration within the Dublin City Centre Business Forum, the North Inner City Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP), the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee (JPC) and the High Level Street Issues Working Group.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that Gardaí assigned to Operation Citizen continue to be deployed on beat patrol. I am informed that on a daily basis there are eight (8) mobile patrols patrolling the core city centre for each tour, assigned from both Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations. Where a requirement arises, mobiles assigned to the Bridewell, Mountjoy, Kevin Street and the wider DMR also provide a response capability.
The Garda Station on O'Connell Street, which was officially opened on 10 March 2023, provides a base for the deployment of members assigned to Operation Citizen and also a centre for members of the public to call to report a crime, seek advice or speak to a member of An Garda Síochána. The Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) also provides a presence in the location for the purpose of providing additional assistance and advice to the general public and visitors to the city centre. While the premises is not designated as a place of detention, it operates as a Garda Station with full services available to members of the public.
I am also informed that Garda Members of the Garda Mounted, Garda Dog Unit, Armed Support Unit and DMR Roads Policing Unit support Operation Citizen by way of high visibility beats and mobile patrols, particularly at weekends and in support of organised events.
Since the commencement of Operation Citizen in October 2021, there have been 11,659 individual proactive foot and mountain bike patrols undertaken as part of the operation. During the same period, 11,240 persons have been arrested, 19,241 charges have been preferred and 8,790 summons issued in respect of offences detected in both the Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Districts.