This article is from page 6 of the 2012-10-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
DESPITE no submissions from people to the public meeting before it began, the people of Kilr ush showed an interest in the policing of their town with a larger than average crowd turning out for the Public Joint Policing Committee meeting.
Kil rush Town Clerk John Cor ry described the attendance as a “dra- matic increase” on previous meetings, with more than 20 members of the public showing thei r concer n.
Many people spoke up during the 90-minute meeting, with the majority stating they were afraid to report criminal activity to Gardaí for fear of reprisal. One man even queried the statistics presented by the superintendent.
“I think they paint a rosy picture. I don’t think ever ything is reported,” he said.
“It is not nice to wal k the street at night because you feel unsafe and that is for a man. It must be worse for a woman,” he added.
One woman raised issues about people being afraid in thei r own home, and being too afraid to tell the Gardaí.
“I know someone who is very lucky to be alive. I am afraid in my home. I don’t blame ye, I blame the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I blame the minister because he closed down all the stations and ye can’t be everywhere, covering everywhere. Ye can’t be in two places at once,” she said.
Supt Gerr y Wall encouraged people to call the Gardaí and report incidents immediately, even if it has to be anonymously.
“I can give you every reassurance that any information we get we act upon,” he said.
The superintendent also explained he has more resources available to him at peak “crime times”, and was managing the manpower accordingly.
“There could be a day and the (Kilr ush) car could be out of town and a take a few minutes to get there, but we will get there as quickly as possible,” he said.
He said it was essential that people reported crime to the Gardaí even if they are slow to give thei r name.
“If people hold back we will never make progress,” he said.