Crime text alert set to expand

GARDAI in Galway with the support of IFA and other community groups are hoping to have a crime text alert system up and running in almost all parts of the county before the end of the year.

With increasing concerns being expressed over rural criminality, Gardai in Galway have confirmed that the text alert network should be covering most of the county by the end of the year.

Galway Crime Prevention Offficer, Sergeant Pat Flanagan, told the Farming Tribune that they were 100% supportive of the text alert system that could be an invaluable help in crime prevention across the county.

“The system is already up and running in different parts of the county and we hope with the help of organisations like the IFA and other community groups to extend it all across Galway,” said Sgt. Flanagan.

He said that regardless of what manpower was available there could never be a Gardai presence everywhere – but what would make a huge difference would be a quick and accurate information feed to the Gardai via the text alert system.

“The one thing I would like to emphasise is that members of the public should never, ever be in any way reluctant to make contact with the Gardai if they are suspicious of something.

“So what, if it turns out to be completely innocent – that’s absolutely no problem to us. But there could be that one text in 10 where a criminal act may be in progress or being planned – that’s where this service can make a huge difference,” said Sgt. Flanagan.

Maura Canning, of Galway IFA and National Chairperson of the Association’s Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee, said that they were fully committed to delivering the text alert network to every branch across the county.

She said that over recentr weeks, the IFA along with the Gardai, had met with farmers at Ballinsloe Mart to discuss security issues (as well as health and safety) and had received a good response.

“It is our intention over the coming months that we will visit every mart in the county to deliver advice and tips on security and crime prevention and also farm safety,” said Maura Canning.

According to Sgt. Flanagan, the Gardai were also hoping to provide an information flow back to the text alert groups, either to reassure them that for example a particular caller to a house might be a relative, of if there was something that needed further investigation.

“Really the key to all of this is the quick and accurate flow of information from the community to the Garda – once we get that, it will be one of the most effective crime prevention measure to come into the West of Ireland,” said Sgt. Flanagan.