The Ennis Joint Policing Committee held its quarterly meeting at the Civic Room in Ennis Town Council’s offices at Waterpark House, Ennis on 27 September 2010.
Membership of the committee comprises Town Councillors, Dáil Deputies, Gardaí, Community Representatives and Town Council officials. The committee is a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations affecting policing in Ennis.
Chairperson Cllr. Paul O’Shea welcomed the new Superintendent, Peter Duff to Ennis and to his first meeting of the Ennis Joint Policing Committee, comments which were endorsed by all committee members. They also expressed gratitude to Superintendent John Scanlon for his commitment to policing in Ennis and wished him well in his new post in Limerick.
In his report to the meeting Superintendent Duff outlined the continued downward trend in drink driving & public order offences, theft, assault and burglary. However the sale and supply of illegal drugs continue to pose a serious threat and Superintendent Duff confirmed that additional resources have been deployed to the drugs unit and this was yielding results.
At the suggestion of Cllr. J. Flynn the committee agreed to explore the establishment of a “Park Watch” scheme, whereby park users and passers by are urged to be vigilant and to report immediately to the Gardaí any suspicious incidents or anti-social behaviour.
Responding to a query from Cllr. B. Meaney in relation to the sale of alcohol to under age persons, Supt. Duff confirmed that the initiative announced recently by the Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice was still at planning stage, but he confirmed that current Garda operations in Ennis include measures countering alcohol sales to underage customers.
The majority of committee members rejected a call by the chairman for a media presence at committee meetings. Committee members felt that the presence of media would restrict the scope of debate. It was agreed that the media would be invited to the annual public meeting.
The committee will meet next on 6th. December.
Membership of the committee comprises Town Councillors, Dáil Deputies, Gardaí, Community Representatives and Town Council officials. The committee is a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations affecting policing in Ennis.
Chairperson Cllr. Paul O’Shea welcomed the new Superintendent, Peter Duff to Ennis and to his first meeting of the Ennis Joint Policing Committee, comments which were endorsed by all committee members. They also expressed gratitude to Superintendent John Scanlon for his commitment to policing in Ennis and wished him well in his new post in Limerick.
In his report to the meeting Superintendent Duff outlined the continued downward trend in drink driving & public order offences, theft, assault and burglary. However the sale and supply of illegal drugs continue to pose a serious threat and Superintendent Duff confirmed that additional resources have been deployed to the drugs unit and this was yielding results.
At the suggestion of Cllr. J. Flynn the committee agreed to explore the establishment of a “Park Watch” scheme, whereby park users and passers by are urged to be vigilant and to report immediately to the Gardaí any suspicious incidents or anti-social behaviour.
Responding to a query from Cllr. B. Meaney in relation to the sale of alcohol to under age persons, Supt. Duff confirmed that the initiative announced recently by the Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice was still at planning stage, but he confirmed that current Garda operations in Ennis include measures countering alcohol sales to underage customers.
The majority of committee members rejected a call by the chairman for a media presence at committee meetings. Committee members felt that the presence of media would restrict the scope of debate. It was agreed that the media would be invited to the annual public meeting.
The committee will meet next on 6th. December.
