Fermoy Gardaí’s pilot project to keep community connected
The Community Policing Unit at Fermoy Garda Station have announced that they have been selected to take part in a pilot scheme within An Garda Síochána to help people stay in touch.
In joining the national effort to observe health guidelines, many people have embraced new technology to keep communication alive for work, study or social and family reasons.
Recognising that not everybody has an internet connection or suitable device, Community Gardaí in Fermoy can now arrange a video call for people in the locality to get in touch with loved ones abroad or closer to home.
Community Garda Conor Gately, explained the help that Gardaí can offer the public in accessing and arranging video calls with friends and family.
“If a person living abroad wants to set up a video call with their parents at home who do not have an internet connection, mobile phone or the know-how to use them, they can contact me to arrange a video call. We’ll set up a video call on Zoom, WhatsApp or whatever platform the caller wants and go to their parents’ house with our sanitised tablet ready to go.
“We leave the device with them to enjoy their time together and return when they’re ready. It goes without saying that we will observe health guidelines. Our tablets are network-enabled, so you don’t need broadband at home. We will set up the call and the person using our tablet doesn’t need any IT know-how, but we’ll be nearby if there are any glitches. Hopefully, people, especially those unable to visit this past year, will see this and get in touch,” he said.
As well as the social aspect of the devices, Community Gardaí will use them to take part in virtual school visits or safety talks while attending in person remains difficult.
THERE TO HELP
Fermoy Superintendent Padraic Powell noted the increasing importance of maintaining social connections during the current climate.
“The sudden lack of human contact over the last year is something everyone has struggled to endure and we hope this initiative will go some way to address this, especially for those who miss visual contact with family and friends but do not have the means to do so.
“Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Gardaí along with local community and voluntary services have been active in ensuring that those people who are most vulnerable are being cared for and this is another step in enhancing our community’s wellbeing,” Supt Powell said
Community Gardaí are also taking part in a scheme organised by Fermoy Community Network where trained volunteers from the area will assist people who may have smartphones or tablets, but need a little help in setting up apps or getting started with some of the media platforms available.
Please contact Community Policing at Fermoy Garda Station (025 82100) if you would like to arrange a video call with someone living in the area. You may wish to mark a special occasion or just check-in, and with enough notice, every effort will be made to help people keep in touch.