This article is from page 8 of the 2009-03-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
KEEPING crime patterns under re- view and creating a multi-faceted approach to tackling crime will be among the chief priorities for the Joint Policing Committee for the county.
The committee, which met for the first time yesterday, will consist of the county’s four TDs, council offi- cials, gardai, several councillors and community representatives.
‘The important thing is we keep under review the level and pattern of crime and anti-social behaviour and things like the misuse of alcohol and drugs,” said Cllr Joe Arkins, who is the chairman of the group.
‘Every corner of the county is rep- resented,’ he added.
He said that members of the public will be invited to some of the meet- ings, where they will be given the scope to express their views on issues of concern.
Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley said the forum would be “very useful. It will give gardai and politicians from across the county an opportunity to discuss issues of relevance to them. It has to be seen as a forum for devel- oping policy across the county.
“It is going to be a two-way proc- ess. Gardai and local people will work together towards a satisfactory outcome. Gardai need assistance in developing policy at a local level, for example with the county council to
develop speed limits in certain ar- eas,” said Deputy Dooley.
Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said he is hopeful the committee’s formation will be worthwhile.
“I’d be hopeful it would be opened up to the public. I think it will be a useful forum and will sort out issues in the county,” he said.
Cllr Pat Hayes (Fianna Fail) has been appointed vice-chairman of the committee. The other councillors on the committee are Bernard Han- rahan, Flan Garvey, Patrick Keane, Tony O’Brien, Cathal Crowe and
Pat McMahon (all Fianna Fail); Paul Murphy, Oliver Garry, John McIner- ney and Joe Cooney (all Fine Gael); Pascal Fitzgerald (Labour); Inde- pendent councillor Martin Lafferty and Brian Meaney (Green Party).
The current mayor of Clare, Cllr Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG) is also a member of the committee by virtue of being mayor.
County Manager Alec Fleming and Director of Services with the county council Tom Coughlan are also on the committee. The commu- nity members on the committee are
Stephen Walsh (East Clare Area Net- work) and Paul Gaughran and Rich- ard Cahill (Shannon Area Network).
The committee will meet every quarter and the next meeting will take place in July.