This article is from page 10 of the 2011-10-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
CONCERNS over burglaries and the theft of scrap metal and home heating oil will be on the agenda when the Joint Policing Committee meets in Shannon later this month.
One of the JPC meetings is held in public every year and the next Shannon meeting, on Monday, October 24 (Oakwood Arms Hotel), at 8pm, is open to the public.
Those with queries on crime prevention and general policing are invited to attend the meeting and submit any questions in advance of the event. It will give members of the public the chance to make their views known or ask questions of members of the committee which includes gardaí, local councillors and community representatives.
The chairman of the Shannon JPC, Councillor Tony McMahon, said that home security is an issue for homeowners in the town. However, he said that overall, residents are generally happy with the crime levels in the town.
“In Shannon, we don’t have a whole lot of issues. Security has been a concern. There have been a number of break-ins. There are concerns in some areas. Heating oil and scrap metal seem to be the focus of a lot of attention. People need to be alert and aware of that. Overall, though, policing is working quite well in Shannon.
“There is always a concern about drugs but when we look at the figures presented at each meeting the gardaí seem to be in control,” said Mr McMahon.
“Public order is not a huge factor,” he added.
He said that a number of local disputes, which have led to concern in some parts of the town “wouldn’t reflect on the overall situation in the town”.
“In general, the crime levels are as good as can be expected in a town of its population,” he said.
“We would like to see more gardaí on the beat but there are a number of gardaí on bikes which is good,” he added.
A number of local schools including community alert, neighbourhood watch and business watch schemes have been set up in Shannon and surrounding areas over the past few years. These have been credited with preventing some crime in the area.
“They seem to be working very well. The two community gardaí there are to be commended,” said Mr McMahon.
He is urging people to attend the public meeting. “It is essential that people attend public meetings. It’s a forum giving people the opportunity to express their concerns,” he said.
Those interested in submitting queries should do so to the Shannon Town Clerk Liam O’Connor: email shannontclerk@eircom.net or phone 061 362319 by 5pm on Friday.