Northside village to launch text alert project

FOLLOWING a spate of robberies by unwanted visitors, Garristown Community Council recently appointed a committee to devise and implement an effective Text Alert System for the neighbourhood.

The six-person committee met initially on July 9, and in cooperation with An Garda Siochana. Fingal County Council, Muinter Na Tire and the LEADER Project plan to roll-out the finished product this Wednesday, December 12 in Garristown Community Centre at 8pm.

Roger Cronin, chairman of the Garristown Text Alert Programme, told Northside People:

“Local businesses have contributed some financial support, and each household in the designated zone, based on District Electoral Division (DED), Garda District and Postal boundaries have been invited to join up and contribute a nominal fee to defray the costs.

“Distinctive signs will be erected throughout the area, and the alert phone will be manned 24/7 by a panel of volunteers.

“Any suspicious vehicles or people knocking about will be quickly spotted and their bona fides established.

“The possibility of including a rapid alert system for elderly residents, perhaps threatened or incapacitated, has also been looked at.

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Mr Cronin said it is the intention that Garristown will become known to would-be burglars as a “no go area”.

“The risk of being apprehended will be too high, and the rewards too low,

? he stated.

“At the roll-out on December 12 residents who have not signed up and paid their fee may do so.

“They will then be given the text phone number, a receipt, a door sticker, and an individual membership number.

“Given that the potential membership is between 300 and 400, a large attendance is expected.

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Mr Cronin added:

“Garristown, united against a common threat, will prevail.

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