NEIGHBOURS COOPERATION BEST DEFENCE AGAINST CRIME - MEETING

Deputy Mark Wall, Community Garda Jim Lacey, Pat Duggan of Muintir na Tire, Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, and Elaine Jackson.

Criminals are actively looking to pick off people whom nobody is looking after, a community safety meeting in Kilcullen heard last night, writes Brian Byrne. Participants were told the answer to that is neighbours looking out for each other.

The well-attended event was designed to reinvigorate the former Community Text Alert scheme through the use of the Cáirde app. Developed by Muintir na Tire, the originators of Text Alert, the app is an enhanced method of communication between the members of a community alert group, providing a range of crime prevention and emergency action features.

Opening the meeting, Elaine Jackson of Kilcullen & Surrounding Areas Community Text Alert said community safety is all about communication, being alert, and working together. "There's only so much our Gardai can do, so we have to play our part as well."

The Eastern Region Community Alert Development Officer for Muintir na Tíre, Pat Duggan, said the original Text Alert groups had waned somewhat since Covid. These weakened community ties had contributed to an 'epidemic' of loneliness as well as increased risks of crime, and to the safety and care of vulnerable people. "This is about neighbours making sure if someone's on their own, that they knock on their door and see if they're all right? If they need messages done? If they need a service that they could be hooked up to?" 

He also outlined initiatives which Muintir na Tire offer to support this community alert work, including marking property with owners' unique identifiers, so that, if stolen and found, it can be returned to them. He said a community safety 'tool-kit' will be available before the end of this year, providing information on all aspects of crime prevention in one place.

Detailing the advantages of the Cáirde app, which is available free in the Kildare area thanks to LPT funds allocated by councillors, he noted the Property Log feature that provides a private space for photographs and serial numbers of valuable items. There's also an Emergency Button by which someone who has a fall or other urgent situation can summon help from either nominated friends or a 24-hour call centre. "Cybercrime is also huge now, and in association with the Banking Federation, they send us alerts on new types of fraud, which are passed on through the app." 

Seeking cooperation from other community groups and associations, Elaine Jackson asked for representatives to get in touch to help get the Cáirde app adopted in the area. Community Garda Jim Lacey told the meeting that the big thing to take away was to "spread the word about it, and encourage other people from the different areas to join in."

Responding to concerns expressed that smartphone apps may not be suitable for communicating with elderly people, some of whom might only have old-style mobile phones, Elaine Jackson suggested that family members or friends could set up a small text group to pass on information coming through the Cáirde system. She also agreed that providing the long-established emergency pendant scheme for seniors would remain a priority.

Deputies Mark Wall of Labour and Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh of Sinn Féin were present for the meeting, as was John Healy, the nominated Kilcullen-Newbridge Local Area Representative for Fianna Fáil. Apologies were received from several other local representatives, including Minister Martin Heydon.

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