This article is from page 14 of the 2013-02-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A KILRUSH Town Councillor has proposed a novel approach to community policing, in light of “the increase in malicious attacks on the elderly and those residing in rural areas” and the closure of rural Garda stations.
Cllr Ian Lynch (FG) said that a community alert scheme that would use a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) would allow a concerned or distressed resident call up to 15 other members of the community with one call.
The system can include up to 300 people on one circuit, but best results have been achieved with 15.
“This will prove especially beneficial in rural areas, with the closure of rural Garda stations leading to increased response time to emergency calls by the nearest members of An Garda Siochána,” he said.
“I am not trying to get rid of the 999 call. With the removal of the Garda station there may not be an immediate reply, and a garda would not be there in eight minutes as was promised a few years ago.”
The system would be especially beneficial to the elderly living alone. If they were concerned that someone was breaking into their home, pressing one button would alert numerous, neighbours and members of the community of their distress. The council agreed to write to the Minister for Justice asking that this proposal be considered and rolled out nationally.