Agenda and minutes

Proposed by Mr Lar Power, seconded by Councillor Sean McDermott and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

“That the Minutes of the Joint Policing Committee Meeting of 2^nd December 2019 be adopted”.

Members noted the following items:

·         Reply from Minister Shane Ross, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding licensing of Local Area Hackneys.

·         Reply from National Transport Authority regarding Local Area Hackneys Scheme.

Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services, gave an overview on the progress report of the Joint Policing Committee Strategic Plan 2015-2020. The report as circulated to the Members appears under minute item No. 3 in the Minute Book.

Ms Mary Quinn also gave an overview of the Annual Report which outlined the activities of the Joint Policing Committee in 2019 to the meeting. The report as circulated to the Members appears under minute item No. 3 in the Minute Book.

Both reports were noted by the Members. Councillor Justin Warnock advised when the speed camera van is in Kinlough it is located very close to the driver feedback signs and he queried the suitability of this location for the van. Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken advised that a review of all locations for the speed camera van is under review.

Ms Mary Quinn provided an over-view of the Joint Policing Committee Draft Work Programme for 2020. The report as circulated to the Members appears under minute item No. 4 in the Minute Book. Ms Quinn advised that the Work Programme has been formulated having regard to the strategic objectives and associated actions in the JPC Strategic Plan 2015-2020.  Work will commence in drafting a new 6 year JPC Strategic Plan for the period 2021-2026.

The draft programme was reviewed and approved by the members.

Ms Kathryne Bohan, Administrative Officer, provided an over-view of the County Leitrim Road Safety Plan 2016-2020. This plan was compiled by the Road Safety Working Together Group. The report as circulated to the Members appears under minute item No. 5 in the Minute Book

The report was noted by the members.

Councillor Sean McDermott thanked Kathryne for her comprehensive report and complimented the Council on works carried out on the N16, which has made the road safer for all users.  Councillor McDermott queried if the installation of additional driver feedback signs would be of benefit in reminding people to reduce speeds coming into town and villages.

Councillor Justin Warnock queried if it would be possible to have speed camera at the northern end of Kinlough as there is serious road safety concerns at the junction near the grotto. Councillor Warnock advised that traffic calming is also required in Tullaghan.

Councillor Brendan Barry stated he would like to see the virtual reality headsets, which are available to secondary school students, made available to the wider community to raise awareness of road safety. Councillor Barry also called for further measures such as more driver feedback signs, ramps and traffic calming to help reduce speeds in towns and villages.

Ms Kathleen Flanagan stated that there is need for a pedestrian crossing at the fire station in Carrick on Shannon.

Councillor Finola Armstrong enquired if it would be possible to publish details of the statistics from the interactive driver feedback signs.

Councillor Enda McGloin enquired about the criteria for installing speed ramps.

Councillor Sean McGowan highlighted the Dromod Rooskey by pass as an area of concern in relation to speeding.

Mr Terry McGovern responded to the above questions and comments as follows:

·         All road safety measures are carefully considered. He advised the interactive driver feedback signs lose their effectiveness if there are too many of them installed. Ramps are not always a suitable solution for traffic calming and are usually installed for crossing points.

·         A report has been submitted to the TII in relation to traffic calming in Tullaghan and they are undertaking a feasibility study.

·         Table top crossings will be installed close to the fire station in Carrick on Shannon and at a number of locations throughout the town during the town regeneration works.

·         The statistics from the interactive driver feedback signs can be provided to the Joint Policing Committee.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken complimented the Council on works carried out to enhance road safety in Co. Leitrim. He advised the committee that the Gardaí in Leitrim have rolled out access to hand held devices which will allow them to use the Pulse system and access relevant information while on patrol in the community.

Inspector Carla Curry gave an overview of the Policing Plan for Leitrim for 2020. The key areas of the plan outlined are to keep people safe in their homes, community and on the roads and to protect people in their communities and from drugs.

Inspector Curry outlined the on-going activity and plans for 2020 as follows:

·         There is a newly appointed Sergeant for Community Safety, based in Drumshanbo.

·         There will be a number of Community Engagement events held in Co. Leitrim throughout 2020. This event will provide an opportunity for communities to meet and become familiar with their local Gardaí.

·         Business text alert remains in operation and the community text alert will be restructured.

·         There are a number of road safety days of actions planned to target mobile phone usage, ensuring seat belts are being worn and to combat speeding.

·         Road safety initiatives targeting transition year students will take place.

·         Check points continuing.

·         More mountain bike and foot patrols in towns and villages.

·         In cases of domestic issues a call back seven days after the incident will be carried out.

Inspector Curry expressed appreciation for the cooperation the Gardaí receive from all agencies in the discharge of their duties.

Superintendent Kevin English informed the meeting under the new Garda model Sligo/Leitrim is amalgamating with Donegal and he will provide an overview of this restructuring at the next JPC meeting.

Councillor Paddy Farrell advised the text alert system in Monaghan works well, would the Gardaí look to implement the same system in Leitrim?

Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken advised he is aware of the system in Monaghan and would be supportive of introducing it in Leitrim, however there would be a cost implication. A feasibility study is being carried out at the moment to see how this system could work in Leitrim.

Councillor Justin Warnock thanked Chief Superintendent Glacken for the appointment of a new Sergeant to Kinlough.

It was agreed that the Joint Policing Committee would meet on the following dates at 11:00am during 2020 in the Council Chamber in Áras an Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon.

·         Monday 6th April 2020

·         Monday 5th October 2020

·         Monday 30th November 2020

A date for the Public meeting is to be confirmed and will be circulated via email.

I ask the Gardaí for a report on the new community policing unit based in Drumshanbo Garda station. In particular what is their remit and role within the community, opening hours of the station and what access, if any, the community has to this policing service.

I ask the Gardaí for a report on the new community policing unit based in Drumshanbo Garda station. In particular what is their remit and role within the community, opening hours of the station and what access, if any, the community has to this policing service

Chief Superintendent advised the Community Policing Unit is community orientated style of policing and is responsible for matters of public safety for Co. Leitrim. It supports all the vulnerable and marginalised in society. It is focused on crime prevention, problem-solving and law enforcement with a view to building trust and enhancing the quality of life of the entire community.

The unit can be contacted via phone: 086 044 9655, email: Leitrim.community@garda.ie or facebook.

Can An Garda Síochána introduce a county racism incident register considering the growing population of new communities/ migrants living in Leitrim and see Ireland as their new home? 

It will help to break the silence of racism, track racist acts in the county and give voice to the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the community.

Also the register will help devise effective local strategies to combat racism in the county.

Can An Garda Síochána introduce a county racism incident register considering the growing population of new communities/ migrants living in Leitrim and see Ireland as their new home. It will help to break the silence of racism, track racist acts in the county and give voice to the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the community.

Also the register will help devise effective local strategies to combat racism in the county.

Superintendent Kevin English advised that this information is already captured when incidents are recorded on the Pulse system.

There have been 5 high powered new Quads, all 500 c.c. stolen in south Leitrim in the past few months. What has been done to resolve this situation?

There have been 5 high powered new Quads, all 500 c.c. stolen in south Leitrim in the past few months. What has been done to resolve this situation?

Superintendent Kevin English advised the investigations into these thefts are on-going and he acknowledged the impact these thefts have had on the farming community. The Gardaí have increased the number of patrols in rural areas to help reduce such crimes. He advised that people should be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their local Gardaí.

We are aware of the tragic stories in the Drogheda and Dublin feuds. What is being done to stop youths getting involved, as we hear drugs are being sold in every small village in the country, which we are led to believe is linked back to these Drogheda and Dublin feuds?

Questions 4 - submitted by Breege Grimes (Leitrim PPN)

We are aware of the tragic stories in the Drogheda and Dublin feuds. What is being done to stop youths getting involved, as we hear drugs are being sold in every small village in the country, which we are led to believe is linked back to these Drogheda and Dublin feuds?

Questions 5 – Councillor Finola Armstrong Maguire (Carrick on Shannon Municipal District)

How do our Garda officers respond / react to comment made on radio -Today FM, Matt Cooper -stating that drugs are being sold openly to youth in rural areas nearby and, while the incident witnessed was reported there is a feeling that nothing is being done to address the crime.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken advised the Policing Plan reflects the approach the Gardaí are taking. Drugs are being sold covertly in our town/villages and the Gardaí rely on intelligence to effectively identify people who are involved in the sale and supply of drugs. The installation of CCTV in Carrick on Shannon has proven very beneficial in assisting Gardaí to monitor and stop criminal activity.

Superintendent Kevin English advised the Gardaí also provide a strong presence at events in the community, such as the underage discos, to ensure there is no drug related activity.

Councillor Brenda Barry enquired if the Gardaí have enough resources available to them to deal with the sale and supply of drugs in Leitrim.

Councillor Justin Warnock highlighted that the use of cocaine is a problem in Leitrim, that there is a growing fear of young people being targeted. Councillor Warnock queried the resources available to the Gardaí.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire acknowledged the work the Garda carry out at the underage disco to ensure the safety of young people who attend. She commended the Garda on the work they do in relation to drug prevention and enquired if there could be more publicity about this work.

Councillor Sean McGowan supported the message from Chief Superintendent Glacken and Superintendent Kevin English that the Gardaí rely on intelligence and assistance from the community in combating crime. He added that everyone must play their part and inform the Gardaí of any information that may be useful in preventing the sale and supply of drugs in Leitrim.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken advised that the Gardaí have use of the divisional drug unit and any resources that are deemed necessary in the prevention of drug related crime. He informed the committee it is not possible to publish operational information. Chief Superintendent Glacken welcomed any suggestions from the Joint Policing Committee as to where his resources should be allocated in the context of drug enforcement.