Time to extend Text Alert scheme

With the start of the new year, one good community resolution would be for people and areas not yet connected to the Kilcullen Community Text Alert scheme to get on the system, writes Brian Byrne.

Established last July, the scheme has been used to keep those on the list aware of suspicious activities and criminal behaviour in a number of rural areas outside the town. These have included notifications of strangers being where they might not be expected to be, thefts from isolated homes and farms, and other community-related matters.

The more people on the scheme, the more effective it will be. In particular, it should be taken on board by the various areas within Kilcullen itself.

The scheme works through communicating any suspicious activity to the Gardai and in turn, receiving broadcast information by text from the Gardai about any potential criminal activity in the local or surrounding area of the community.

There is a €10 administration fee per household. Participants' mobile phone numbers are put on the Kilcullen Text Alert database, which is managed under the terms of the Data Protection Act.

If suspicious activity is observed, scheme participants inform the Gardai. On the advice of the Gardai a text will be sent to all persons signed in your area informing everyone of the information.

A meeting of the steering committee will be held on next Monday night, 13 January, at 9pm in Brennans of Old Kilcullen. Anyone who would like to know more about the scheme or would like to sign up will be welcome to drop in on the night.

As the scheme extends, signs will be posted to publicise the fact that the area is using Community Text Alert, which will in themselves serve to help deter thieves from working in the area.