THE head of an anti-crime group in east Limerick has said that statistics released on crimes reported to rural garda stations do not reflect the true demand in the community.
Statistics from the Central Statistics Office show low numbers of crimes reported in certain garda stations, leading Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, to suggest the impending closure of further stations. David Thompson, chair of the Pallasgreen Crime Prevention Project, is irritated by the proposals.
“You can make statistics out of anything and they don’t necessarily reflect the truth,” he told the Limerick Post.
Responding to statistics that show just 14 crimes were reported at Oola garda station last year, the Pallasgreen resident claimed that, in fact, “every shop in the village has been raided at least once.
“It is known that a large percentage of crimes go on reported and then there are people contacting stations and getting no answer or never hearing back from the gardaí.
“Another factor to consider is intimidation; people are often afraid to report crime”.
Mr. Thompson said that he has written to the minister to explain the level of fear that people are faced with in rural areas.
“Young people are moving away but we have to keep rural Ireland populated and having a local garda presence is key to that.
“Communication and speed of response are the most important aspects of keeping crime down and there is little money to be saved in closing rural stations”.
Even more important than the retention of stations, is the presence of garda cars, according to Mr. Thompson.
“There are five garda areas in East Limerick and no squad cars.
“I would put squad cars even ahead of stations in terms of importance because the speed of response is crucial.
“If there is a crime in Galbally, the nearest squad car is in Bruff, so it could take 45 minutes to get there; criminals will know this and time it so they can get away”.
Galbally and Kilmeedy garda stations are also believed to be under threat next year, with low reports of crime in 2011.
David Thompson and the Pallasgreen Crime Prevention Project is working on a new community alert programme that will involve an innovative text messaging system when crime is detected. They are also ensuring that residents over the age of 65 in east Limerick are fitted with compatible monitors.
The next meeting of the group takes place this Thursday in the Pallasgreen Community Centre.
