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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Crime Prevention.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

205 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether prevention is better than cure; the policy and implementation mechanism currently on crime prevention in that regard in rural constituencies such as Donegal North-East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6028/03]

Crime prevention pays a key role in maintaining the safety of the community. Although its benefits are by their nature difficult to quantify, they include reducing the incidence and human and financial cost of crime and addressing the fear of crime through awareness and practical action. Crime prevention, however, can only be viewed as part of an overall crime strategy involving detection, investigation and prosecution.

The goals of the Garda Síochána in relation to crime prevention include utilising the latest technology in the fight against crime, promoting the concept of crime prevention through environmental design, identifying new target groups for crime prevention advice and promoting crime prevention and personal protection through the Garda schools programme.

In rural constituencies such as Donegal North-East, crime prevention is the responsibility of Garda district officers, in co-operation with crime prevention officers and community liaison officers. These officers work with the local community to promote the concept of crime prevention and, more specifically, to develop and strengthen anti-crime prevention partnerships.

One such partnership of particular relevance to rural communities is the community alert programme, which is part funded by my Department and run in partnership with Muintir na Tíre. Community alert currently consists of over 1,100 schemes, covering almost 250,000 homes. Under current arrangements, a Garda liaison officer attached to each scheme provides detailed information relating to the security of older persons.

With regard to urban areas, neighbourhood watch has been in operation in Ireland since 1985. There are currently over 2,600 independent schemes countrywide and they provide a sound basis for a partnership between the gardaí and the community, the aim of which is to prevent crime. Neighbourhood watch receives considerable support from the Garda Síochána. The Garda community relations section conducts training seminars for both gardaí and area coordinators as part of their input to neighbourhood watch.

I understand that district officers are commencing a process of reviewing the effectiveness of neighbourhood watch schemes, with a view to reactivating dormant or less active schemes, and establishing new schemes if required. In addition, the Garda authorities are currently considering the establishment of business watch schemes at each district headquarters. Each district officer has been directed to appoint a liaison officer to discuss the feasibility of this project with the local business community.
Superintendents in Border districts are promoting the Petrol Retailers Alliance, with the aim of reducing crime at such outlets. District officers are also giving priority to updating the database of vessel registrations as part of the coastal watch scheme. In Donegal, as in other parts of the country, the Garda schools programme endeavours to develop sensible and responsible patterns of behaviour in young people that would empower children in matters of their own safety and their social and legal responsibilities.
District officers are also responsible for the development of high visibility policing to ensure that there is a continued presence of members on foot patrol.
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