Text Alert protocols clarified at meeting
Sabina Reddy, current holder of the scheme's phone, noted that people in the system sometimes contacted her first, rather than calling the Garda as the Text Alert protocol requires.
"The Garda make the decision as to whether an alert goes out through the system," Committee chairman Ivan Keatley noted. "It also means that they get to be on top of the situation as early as possible."
He suggested that the Committee meet with the Garda in the near future to work out any communications issues in the operation of the scheme.
On how much detail to provide in any text alerts, he said the protocol is not to give full details of movements or vehicle identification numbers that give rise to suspicions to prevent innocent people being incorrectly targeted.
Other matters discussed included the extension of the scheme through Kilcullen town. Ivan Keatley noted that there had been some interest expressed by residents in some estates in the town and it was being brought to their relevant associations.
The Kilcullen Community Text Alert was inaugurated last July and currently operates mostly in the rural hinterland of the town itself.
