Community policing is “not working” and is leading to a “strong disconnect” between the gardaí and the public, according to Labour city councillor Derek Nolan.
Cllr Nolan raised the issue with Galway Superintendent Tom Curley at Monday’s Joint Policing Committee meeting in the Menlo Park Hotel.
“People don’t see gardaí on the beat in neighbourhoods and neither do they know who their community garda is,” he said. “It’s just not working.”
Cllr Nolan said that a “strong local link” would greatly help the gardaí in knowing the issues on the ground and gathering information. “A healthy relationship will lead to a greater flow of information meaning better crime detection and prevention,” he said.
He welcomed the assurances of Supt Curley that plans are in place to ensure the names and details of community Gardaí will be publicised and communicated.
“This should be the first step in revamping community policing,” Cllr Nolan said. “What is then needed is engagement and follow-through.”
