Community project to enhance security launches in Balgaddy

A community resilience project for the Balgaddy area has been launched by South Dublin County Council, An Garda Síochána and local residents groups in an effort to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour in the area.

South Dublin County Council says the “project aims to improve community safety and quality of life” for Balgaddy residents.

Community Action Network, a not-profit organisation, is currently providing training to several local people on how to undertake a community crime assessment.

“This community-led mechanism will identify the impact of issues relating to anti-social behaviour and criminal activity in the area leading to a problem-solving approach,” says the local authority.

The effectiveness of the responses will be monitored through “repeat assessments over time.”

“Community Action Network has been engaged to lead on the project and are responsible for delivering the training while our estate management team have discussed the aims of the project with local residents to identify and map anti-social issues and complaints.”

Sinn Fein councillor for Palmerstown Derren O Brádaigh, who has campaigned for a taskforce to combat crime in the area, says he embraces the development.

“I very much welcome the announcement by South Dublin County Council to support the residents of Balgaddy by way of what is being described as a community resilience project,” he says.

“This comes on foot of a recent motion that I had at the February area committee meeting that called for a joined up cross departmental high level taskforce initiative.

“The challenges facing the community of Balgaddy are too long to list and everyone understands that a fresh approach is required.”

O Brádaigh says the project is a cross-party initiative that “seeks to put the community and needs of its residents ahead of any political point scoring.

“In this regard, I was happy to work with my council colleagues to raise issues by way of individual motions for remedial works, whilst stressing the urgency for the below human living standards to be prioritised through a combined approach here.

“Be it called a community resilience project or a high-level taskforce at this juncture, it doesn’t really matter in my opinion,” says O Brádaigh.

“The positives that I take from the council at this stage is that we are en-route to a working task force group whose aim it will be to address both anti-social problems through the provision of training and services.

“However, this needs to happen in conjunction with a programme of works to address the structural problems with and within the development itself and with the full support of all stakeholders that will be required to effect the necessary changes and improvements.”

O Brádaigh says that the “community of Balgaddy are not asking us for anything less than equality – to enable all residents to live their lives and raise their children in a place they can proudly call home.

“This is a worthy project that I personally will commit to working toward and with whomever is willing.”