Senior Gardaí have told business owners in Dublin that there’ll be a significant increase in Garda visibility in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Not far shy of 200 city centre business owners met with Gardaí over safety concerns at the Gaiety Theatre earlier today.
There have been a number of high-profile, violent attacks in Dublin in recent weeks. Additional funding of €10m has been allocated by the Government.
Speaking afterwards, Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis expressed concern over the “perception of fear” and feelings among the public that the city is not safe.
She acknowledged the concerns expressed by those in attendance, and insisted that an Garda Siochána would play its part in re-establishing a sense of safety for residents and visitors.
The Assistant Commissioner accepted that high visibility policing is essential to restoring that sense of safety on the streets.
Ms Willis outlined plans which would increase visibility as well as having armed response units on standby if needed.
But she emphasised that officers cannot work in isolation, and pointed to the agreement reached by those attending today’s meeting that a community and partnership approach is also needed.
Dublin Town, a group representing businesses in the capital, described the meeting as constructive and positive.
Dublin Town CEO Richard Guiney said:
”The meeting discussed the policing of the city, including Garda responses to recent events.
It was also an important opportunity for local businesses to discuss their recent experiences and concerns, ensuring that these are taken into account in the city’s policing plans.
The city’s business community support the deployment of additional Garda resources to the city and, in particular, proposals to increase visible policing on city streets.
We believe that this increased visibility will act as a deterrent to anti-social and criminal behaviour.
The meeting also heard calls to engage all relevant stakeholders in addressing complex societal needs which can manifest as anti-social behaviour on city streets.
There was a broad welcome for the re-institution of the Better City For All process which outlines how support for the most vulnerable in society can be provided in the context of developing an inclusive vibrant and welcoming city.”
