A JOINT Policing
Committee (JPC) to give Inishowen communities a role
into tackling the root of crime in their areas could
be in place by June.
Buncrana Councillor Daren Lalor confirmed the
expected date following a meeting between the Sinn
Féin justice spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh and
senior Department of Justice official Brendan
Callahan.
"It appears the roll out of the remaining 85 JPCs is
likely to happen in or around June this year," said
Cllr. Lalor.
"This is good news for Inishowen. We in Sinn Féin
believe that the JPC can play a positive role in
building relationships between the community and the
Gardai thus helping to tackle anti-social behaviour,
low level crime and also drug crime in our area."
Cllr. Lalor last month met Garda Superintendent
Jimmy Coen to brief him on Sinn Féin proposals for
community policing and the party's thoughts on
building safer communities.
"Funding has now been allocated for the joint
training of chairs and all members. It really is
imperative that our local Gardaí build and sustain
longer-term relationships with my community. Strong
community/voluntary sector participation in this
committee is vital if we are to have the potential
to deliver on the ground for our local communities
throughout Inishowen.
We in Sinn Féin will be ensuring that when the
rollout of our JPC takes place, it lives up to its
obligation under the Act 'to arrange and host public
meetings concerning matters affecting the policing
of the local authority's administrative area',"
added Cllr. Lalor. |
