A LIMERICK shop owner has said the roll-out of additional Gardaí on the streets of Limerick City has brought an end to “20 years of trouble and hassle” for his business.
A High Visibility Policing Plan (HVP) was introduced at the beginning of last month to deal with anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, and aggressive begging in the city.
Gardaí from Henry Street and Roxboro Road Garda Station are deployed on a daily basis on HVPs on eight identified dedicated patrol areas. 15 Gardaí are now deployed from 8am to 4am on seven daytime patrols and eight evening patrols.
Shane Gleeson, who owns a number of Spar stores across Limerick, told this newspaper that cases of shoplifting “have virtually collapsed” across his stores in the city since the increased Garda presence was rolled out.
“I would say we have seen about an 85 to 90 per cent reduction. The amount of incidents per day on average in our store on Catherine Street was maybe 11 beforehand, between detected shoplifters, aggression, or very aggressive begging. That’s gone down now to one or two a day.
“Gardaí are still following up on persistent cases (of shoplifting) but they’re regularly pulled aside and dealt with now. You can feel it on the streets, they are that bit busier. Some of our older customers, regulars for 30 or 40 years, are happy to sit down outside the shop and have a cup of tea now whereas before the aggressive begging was intimidating for them,” Mr Gleeson added.
This is a sentiment also echoed by many businesses on the city’s main thoroughfare, including John McGann of Whelan Camera Shop on O’Connell Street.
He believes it’s given people “a more secure shopping experience in the city” knowing that Gardaí are there to assist them.
“There’s more people in the city…walking around and they’re more inclined to come in, especially in the evening time, which can be very, very dangerous. But now it’s easier to socialise because you know they are around the corner, and you can call them at any time. It’s given the city a better image.”
Just across the street, Kim Corker sits behind the beauty and cosmetics desk at O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy. She told the Limerick Post that “Gardaí are quite visible now so if anything happens in the shop, we just have to raise our hand and someone will be there. I also find them very friendly with the shop, and they will come and ask if everything has been okay for the day or if there is anything to report.”
The pharmacy was subject to numerous thefts and incidents of anti-social behaviour. Both have reduced since the introduction of more Gardaí patrolling the city.
However, Padraic Cleary who owns sporting goods store Rain Outdoors says while the increased Garda presence has been welcome, he isn’t sure how effective it has been.
“Gardaí walking around O’Connell Street looking cold and bored is not a long-term solution,” Mr Cleary hit out.
‘People feel safe waiting for a taxi after a night out’
With Gardaí scheduled in the city centre until 4am, their presence is now felt long after last orders.
It has made a “huge difference” for Paul Flannery of Flannery’s Bar on Shannon Street.
“We used to have an issue here with drugs in the laneway, where people would go up and down for different paraphernalia. That’s all gone now because there’s the proximity of the Guards”.
“Customers have told us they feel safe now walking to and from the bus or going out waiting for a taxi,” Mr Flannery told the Limerick Post.
The move has been so effective that the pub has already approached members of the force to thank them, and hope they remain a permanent fixture for the city centre.
Punters flocking for a bag of chips after a night out are also reaping the rewards, according to Raman Soni, general manager of Supermacs on O’Connell Street.
Since March, “there is no trouble at all”, he says. “We have had a few conversations with customers…and they are all really happy”. He shared that staff members now feel safer coming to work, especially when working late night shifts.
‘A notable reduction in reported crime’
Gardaí on the beat are also noticing the difference. Superintendent Andrew Lacey of Henry Street Garda Station said: “We are delighted with the positive response from businesses, stakeholders and the people of Limerick so far who have relayed to us that having an energetic Garda presence in Limerick City Centre offers reassurance and a sense of safety.”
He told the Limerick Post that there has been “a notable reduction in reported crime and calls to service” since the beginning of March.
“Already we have noticed an increase in activity in the primary streets, public realms, and amenities. In addition to assisting traders, we have taken enormous pride in the growth of major events in Limerick City over the last few years and the arrival of the HVP initiative will further strengthen the sense of safety and enjoyment in the city.”
But with increased visibility, Superintendent Lacey adds, there is also a risk that some of the criminal activity that once took place in the heart of Limerick City Centre may be relocated elsewhere.
“This will be evaluated further in a number of months but we are cognisant that there could be displacement of crime and anti-social behaviour which refers to a change in offending following the implementation of a crime prevention strategy,” he said.
Another consequence, according to Superintendent Lacey, may result in delays for vulnerable people, such as those who are homeless and their access to support services.
“We understand that some of our vulnerable persons might not be in contact with support services as frequently due to displacement and we in Limerick always recognise the need to help this cohort and ensure they receive the offer of appropriate support where possible,” Superintendent Lacey explained.
“The HVP presence in the city centre will increase our focus on policing public order offences, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging and shoplifting, with a pro-arrest policy for repeat offenders, including strong bail objections where appropriate.”
This measure is the latest in a host of measures by Gardaí to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and is in addition to existing community Gardaí and targeted operations operating in the city.
But for local businesses, the message is clear: They want the Gardaí patrolling the streets to stay.
For Shane Gleeson, he described the move as “a new dawn”, adding “I hope it’s not a false one, I hope it’s a permanent one”.
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