Superintendent Mick Murray of Westport has stated that a huge priority for policing in the town in 2011 will be increasing drug detection, which gardaí have already been successful in achieving during recent times.
The superintendent addressed a joint policing committee on Monday where he said that serious crimes in 2010 have reduced by 32 per cent. As for serious assaults in the town, all those involved have been detected and many offenders have been taken “out of circulation”. As for those “coming on line”, Supt Murray said the gardaí are keeping an eye on these people.
Deputy Michael Ring said that the town is “far better off with certain people behind bars”, which shows that there is law and order in the town and is a deterrent for others.
Councillor Ollie Gannon said that elderly residents in his own area have raised concerns about a number of break-ins which have taken place in private residences. Supt Murray said that targeting the culprits of burglaries is not only high on the agenda in Westport, but countywide, as this crime “is an invasion of one’s castle.” The superintendent assured the public that thorough investigations of burglaries are conducted; that Garda patrols of areas take place, and that garda liaison officers work closely with local neighbourhood watches.
Supt Murray appealed for the public to contact gardaí if they can point them in the right direction in relation to any burglaries. As for reporting any suspicions about drug activity in the town, the public can contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111 or speak to local gardaí in confidence. The superintendent encouraged people to come forward so that a “serious indentation on the drugs world” in Westport can be made.
