Garda fleet to be upgraded in Tallaght

THE Garda traffic fleet in Tallaght is to be upgraded as new vehicles are rolled out across the force, according to Independent Senator Katherine Zappone.

The Senator said she has received confirmation that the local Garda district is to receive 13 new cars that have been kitted out with top of the range features such as anti-ramming equipment.

The initial local allocation is part of a roll-out of 370 new Garda vehicles across the country.

Senator Zappone stated:

“The fact that the Dublin Metropolitan South Division of the gardaí, which covers Tallaght, Terenure and Crumlin, has been prioritised for the first of the new specially equipped cars is welcome and a tribute to the hard work and dedication of local officers.

“I contacted the Garda Commissioner, Noirín O’Sullivan, earlier this year to request that our local stations would not be overlooked in the allocation of the new fleet.

“I have now received her assurance that 13 of the first batch of vehicles will soon be on our streets.

“In addition to these resources it is also important that we have sufficient numbers of gardaí in Tallaght, Rathfarnham and Citywest. As a public representative I have again asked that we receive our fair share when 100 new recruits graduate from the college in Templemore in May – the first such graduation in five years.

“In particular, this could be an opportunity to boost community policing which has proved invaluable in our local areas in building bridges between the force and the people which it protects and serves.

“As a member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee I am committed to remaining in close contact with the both local communities, Garda management in Tallaght and the Commissioner to ensure we get our share of new resources and gardaí as they come on stream.

?

Meanwhile, gardai have issued an appeal for the public to be more

“streetwise

?.

The appeal was issued as it emerged that a quarter of all mobile phones that are stolen are snatched between midnight and 4am.

After mobile phones, cash and credit cards are the most common items taken by thieves.

A third of thefts from persons involve a

‘snatch and grab’ in public and a half of all thefts from persons, robbery from persons and assaults happen between Friday and Sunday.

As a result, gardai released figures and advice on how the public can protect themselves and their property while out and about.

As part of a National Crime Prevention Day of Action, gardai urged the public to take some common sense steps to minimise the risk to themselves and their property.

This

“streetwise

? approach includes planning your journey, telling someone where you’re going, and using well lit routes to get there.

You are also advised to avoid making mobile phone calls in public places, but if you have to make or receive a call in public, always do so with your back up against a wall or a shop window etc so that you can see around you.

“We want people to enjoy themselves when out, and taking a few easy steps can greatly reduce the chances of their day or night being ruined,

? said Sergeant Alan Roughneen of the National Crime Prevention Unit.

“These include remaining observant, be conscious of your alcohol intake, don’t make it easy for a thief to take your phone by leaving it on the table, and avoid walking in dark locations. Working together, we can reduce the opportunities available to criminals.

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