This article is from page 64 of the 2008-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 64 JPG
THE success of the Ballybeg Com- munity Alert scheme will be marked by a community summer festival on August 24.
Launched in April, the scheme sees the local community liaise closely with the gardai on the issue of crime prevention.
In building on the success of the scheme so far and in a continued effort to increase the community awareness and participation, the Bal- lybeg and Rockmount community alert group are facilitating the festi- val for all the community young and old. The event will take place on the
grounds of Clarecastle GAA club.
The community alert programme was established by Muintir Na Tire in 1984 in partnership with An Garda Siochana, with the aim of providing an effective Community Policing and Crime Prevention Network.
There are now 1250 Community Alert Groups throughout the coun- try.
It evolved in response to a rise of crime in rural Ireland, particularly attacks on vulnerable people (in- cluding the elderly) living alone. It is a voluntary crime prevention pro- gramme for rural communities and it encourages the community to pro- actively participate with Muintir na
Tire and An Garda Siochana in im- proving the quality of life and safety of the community in general.
There are now 1250 community alert groups throughout the country. Each group is organised on a rec- ognised local community basis and has an elected committee, a Liaison Garda and Community Relations/ Crime Prevention Officer who link the garda and local communities to- gether to provide an effective Com- munity Policing and Crime Preven- tion Network.
Community alert is community driven and is absolutely flexible in serving the needs of local communi- ties. Local volunteers identify com-
munity needs and collectively ad- dress them in a holistic way.
It is hoped that the community fes- tival will build to an annual event that the whole community can par- ticipate and contribute to.
The festival programme will reflect old traditions and emerging cultures, new businesses, arts, crafts, music, dance and exhibitions.
The organising committee would like to hear from all community members that would like to exhibit, demonstrate, dance, play music, or- ganise games or participate.
You can contact Joe Murphy on 087 6777178 or Martin McDonnell on 087 7637899 for futher information.