Community Gardaí play a crucial role in tackling isolation, keeping people connected and cracking down on anti-social behaviour during Lockdown. Community Policing is more than just a partnership based, community-orientated approach to law enforcement, it’s about engaging with people and becoming part of the heart of a community. The Community Garda will build up a strong and supportive personal relationship with residents, local business owners, schools, clubs and various groups in our neighbourhoods. They are available to assist local residents work together to prevent crime by supporting Neighbourhood Watch initiatives.
Deputy Emer Higgins, who sits on the South Dublin Joint Policing Committee, outlined that community policing is all about collaboration with residents and policing by consent. She commended the work of local Gardaí and said that ,” during lockdown, Community Gardaí became a lifeline for many people, in particular those living alone and cocooning. Now, with Level 5 restrictions, they’ve stepped up again to support our communities during this time of need. Community Gardaí focus on crime prevention, problem-solving and law enforcement, with a view to building trust and enhancing the quality of life of the entire community and are vital when it comes to cracking down on anti-social behaviour. “Through my work on the Joint Policing Committee, I proactively advocated for extra Community Gardaí . With an increasing population and changing demographics and the challenges that the Covid pandemic presents, we need these resources on the ground now more than ever.
“Community Gardaí become part of the neighbourhood, helping to get a better sense of resident’s needs and help residents to develop greater trust in the police. As part of the Community Policing Model, An Garda Síochána work in partnership with local communities, to prevent and deter crime through initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, Text Alert and the Garda Schools Programme, as well as through more formal structures such as Joint Policing Committees,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
Emer Higgins has welcomed the recent decision of An Garda Síochána to assign 4 Community Gardaí roles to Rathcoole Garda Station and 3 Community Gardaí positions to Clondalkin Garda Station. “Community Policing has never been more important and I really hope our communities see the benefits of having more Garda visibility and engaging with our community.”
