This article is from page 26 of the 2009-07-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
MEASURES to curb anti-social be- haviour in the vicinity of St Aidan’s primary school in Shannon have been suggested by gardai. Crime Preven- tion Officer in the Clare Garda Di- vision, Sergeant Joe Downey visited the area recently, in the wake of con- cern being expressed about young people converging on the area and drinking alcohol.
Sgt Downey, in a letter to the mayor of Shannon, Cllr Sean McLoughlin and the principal of St Aidan’s, Ger Loughnane, made a number of rec- ommendations on assisting in curb- ing anti-social behaviour.
“The area is surrounded by ma- ture trees, which are of such height and width that they are obstructing good natural surveillance on the area and are providing cover for people engaged in criminal behaviour,” he wrote.
He suggested that all trees sur- rounding school property should be pruned upwards to a minimum of two metres, to assist natural surveil- lance from pedestrians, nearby hous- es and passing motorists. He said that a number of trees at the eastern edge of the school, back to where the first public light is situated, should be removed to allow for a clear line of sight through the right of way.
Public lighting in the area should be
upgraded, to high pressure sodium lighting. “This will add vitality to the area, enhancing its attractiveness and reassure and reduce the feeling of vulnerability to those using the place for recreational purposes,” he said.
He recommended that all local au- thority property should be subjected to good housekeeping and all bushes should be pruned to allow for good natural surveillance, while gaps should be closed off.
‘The pedestrian routes should have a good open aspect, be well lit and give a good level of surveillance. The pedestrian should be able to view the full length of the path on entry, rather than negotiate blind corners or recesses,’ added Sgt Downey.
Some of the boundary fences should be repaired and the top railing should be constructed of such material and design that it would discourage peo- ple from sitting on them.
He also said that barriers should be put in place to prevent children from exiting alone and in an unsafe man- ner, given that the school borders public roads. He said that regular pa- trolling from gardai by car, bicycle and on foot is important as it would ensure a high visibility presence in the area, and prompt attention to re- quests for Garda assistance by mem- bers on duty is also essential.