GARDA CHIEF REFUTES CLAIMS OF COMMUNITY POLICING CUTBACKS

Date Published: 08-Oct-2012

Garda Chief Superintendant Michael O'Sullivan has refuted claims that community policing resources appear to have been scaled back across the city.At a meeting of the city Joint Policing Committee today, the Garda Chief said there is no lack of manpower and that a new rostering system has resulted in the provision of an extra unit.Cllr Michael Crowe raised concerns that the extra manpower is not visible in the community.Cllr Donal Lyons said community policing has proved to be a very successful initiative and that the Salthill and Rahoon areas used to have four such officers and now only appear to have one.Mayor Terry O'Flaherty said one community guard in Renmore appeared to be handling a vast area including Mervue.However Chief Superintendant Michael O'Sullivan stressed to members that resources are being deployed throughout the city with more on the ground now than this time last year.