Seanad debates
Thursday, 24 October 2002
Crime Levels: Statements.
Picking up on a point made by Senator Jim Walsh, we should look closely at the Patten report to see what might be applicable here. The idea of district policing partnerships, involving people from local authorities rather than having an over-centralised system, might have a great deal to recommend it. Law and order is not just about protecting the property and persons of the middle classes. In many ways law and order problems are worse in particular estates. There was a very strong demand in Clonmel for a form of community policing and for things like lighting to be fixed. There has been an ongoing problem there for ten or 20 years. Law abiding people who live on estates feel intimidated and their property can be vandalised. There is a major social justice task to be undertaken.
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