Six-year joint-policing committee plan launched
A NEW six year Strategic Plan for the Wicklow County Council Joint Policing Committee (JPC) has identified four key areas – policing communities, tackling crime in rural areas, drug prevention and communications.
The 2016-2021 plan was launched at a public JPC meeting held in Roundwood Parish Hall last Wednesday night. The plan was prepared in order to ensure that the Joint Policing Committee takes a strategic and collaborate approach to policing issues in County Wicklow.
Introducing the plan, the Chair of the JPC, Cllr Jim Ruttle, said: ‘ the JPC represents a collaborative approach between the council, An Garda Siochana and the voluntary sector in supporting policing and enhancing community safety for the citizens of County Wicklow. I look forward to working with the committee and the wider stakeholders in implementing the actions contained within the plan.’
Wicklow has the 11th highest rate of gardaí in the country, but the fifth lowest rate of garda stations per 1,000 population. Wicklow has the fifth highest rate of recorded crime of the 21 garda divisions nationally.
The new strategic plan has a number of goals, with the key elements including developing community capacity in disadvantaged communities and engage in urban regeneration and rural development. The plan will also promote active citizenship and public participation to improve governance, participation and enrich deci- sion making.
Targeted and integrated supports will also be developed for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
The priority objectives were compiled following a wide stakeholder consultation session held in March this year and from the issues raised at public meetings of the JPC held at various locations throughout county Wicklow since the committee’s inception.
Fifty-three people attended a workshop, indicating the high level of interest from sectors and geographical areas of the county. Groups were given feedback opportunities to elaborate on the various interactions and discussions that took place at individual tables during the workshop. In addition, open dialogue and discussion was encouraged in order to ensure maximum contribution and engagement from all in attendance.
Chief Superintendent John P Quirke said: ‘ the gardaí look forward to working with the committee in strengthening the engagement with community networks to maximise and increase the partnership approach in the prevention of crime in County Wicklow.’
Ongoing strategic effort will be made to tackle the sale and purchase of illegal drugs with a focus being placed on supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.
The areas of ongoing concern in rural areas are fear among people living in isolated areas, theft from cars in rural areas, theft of farmyard machinery and livestock, rural garda stations and the presence and visibility of gardaí in rural areas.
Bryan Doyle, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, thanked all of the stakeholders for their contribution in the development of the plan.
‘ The implementation of the actions under the key priority areas identified within the plan will assist to enhance the quality of life for both urban and rural communities in County Wicklow,’ he said.