A Safer Cork is Possible

A Safer Cork Is Possible Policing Solutions 1

2020 GENERAL ELECTION

2020 GENERAL ELECTION SINN FÉIN A SAFER CORK IS POSSIBLE – POLICING SOLUTIONS

A Safer Cork Is Possible – Policing Solutions Introduction

For the last few years, promoting better

resources to the Cork City region since; with 8

policing, tackling crime, and getting more

new Gardaí being recruited permanently, and

Gardaí for Cork has been a key priority. We

24 being allocated temporarily, but these have

have been neglected, getting less than 3pc of

all gone back to other areas now.

all new recruits.

It is still the case that most stations are down

I have questioned the Taoiseach, the Minister

on 2010 levels, and some such as Mahon and

for Justice, and the Garda Commissioner on

Blackrock stations are down 13 Gardaí.

numerous occasions. The Commissioner has

The people of Cork City are being failed as a

accepted that there needs to be a ‘rebalancing’,

result. While the crime statistics for this period

but evidence of any shift towards allocating

will not be available until later in the year, it

more Gardaí to Cork City is limited.

is fair to say that we have seen a number of

Last summer I launched a 42 page policy on

deeply worrying crimes including some very

tacking crime in Cork, ‘Towards a Safer Cork’

serious assaults and murders.

- https://issuu.com/donnchadholaoghaire/…/

We need to tackle this and reduce crime in the

towards_a_safer_cork

City.

This was quite a detailed document which

Some of the findings of last summer’s

looked at resourcing in the area, Garda

document were startling, and as it was only

numbers, vehicles, and stations; all of which

when researching this document that the

we believe to be inadequately supported by

sheer scale of the problem we face going

government.

forward became fully apparent.

Unfortunately, this document has fallen on

We are shocked to find that most Garda

deaf ears. We have seen a significant increase

stations in the Cork City area still had less core

in crime in Cork City in recent times, including

unit Gardaí attached to them in 2019 than

some horrific murders, and assaults.

there were in 2010. A number of stations have

All evidence shows that Garda visibility, feet

also closed since then, such as Barrack St,

on the ground, is the best way to deter and

leaving smaller communities vulnerable with

prevent crime, as well as solving it.

no Garda visibility or presence.

I am determined to keep up this fight, and if

Cork City is ever growing, and is the second

in Government Sinn Féin will deliver record

largest city in the state. Significant increases

numbers of Gardaí, both nationally and to this

in the population are expected in the coming

city.

decades, and this will undoubtedly bring more vibrancy and soul to our great city. However,

While things may have changed slightly since I

people need to feel safe within it.

published the document, there has been very

The reality is that the Government have not

little by the way of additional allocations of

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2020 GENERAL ELECTION SINN FÉIN A SAFER CORK IS POSSIBLE – POLICING SOLUTIONS

invested adequately in policing in Cork City,

be reasonable to assume that with a larger

and have not allocated resources to reflect

population comes increasing crime rates, this

the ever changing and ever growing nature

doesn’t necessarily have to be the case; what

of the region more generally. While it may

is required is a new approach.

What Sinn Féin are recommending:  Increase the number of Garda to record highs by recruiting 800 Gardaí per annum, with an annual allocation going directly to Cork City that is reflective of the population of the city, not the 3pc we have gotten in years gone by.  Reform Joint Policing Committees to give local communities more power in how they wish to see the Gardaí operating in their respective areas in keeping with the Community Policing Model  Provide Gardaí with up to date technologies such as Sat Navs, USBs and body worn cameras, which would be both beneficial to the Gardaí and the wider public  Restore the number of Community Gardaí back to 2010 levels, allowing greater engagement between Gardaí and communities on a daily basis  Start a process to identify Garda stations that were closed in recent years, which are suitable to reopen; and extend the operating hours of stations which are currently open on a part-time basis  Increase funding for local CCTV schemes and remove red tape that currently prevents community groups from accessing such schemes  Establish a National Property Register (Taisceadáin) which allows people to register valuable items such as bicycles, trade tools, jewellery, and farm equipment with the Gardaí, allowing them to be returned to their owner if recovered when stolen

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WORKING HARD FOR YOU

CLLR. THOMAS

DONNCHADH

Ó LAOGHAIRE

TD

GOULD