Athlone Joint Policing Committee officially launched

Assistant Garda Commissioner Dermot Jennings officially launched the new Athlone Joint Policing Committee on Friday last in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar. Under the new initiative, three new committees (JPCs) have been established in Westmeath, comprising of one covering county Westmeath with another two in Mullingar and Athlone. The newly established groups are intended to provide a forum where the local authority and officers, along with local political and community interests can discuss, consult and make recommendations on matters relating to the policing of that area. The 19-member committees will also keep under review the levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area and the factors underlying and contributing to these in Athlone at their public meetings. Local Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Hogan has welcomed the launch of the new Athlone Joint Policing Committee this week, commenting that it is a significant occasion and is a step in the right direction to encourage local communities on how best to police their estates. 'Sinn Féin has always advocated community involvement and consultation on policing matters in their areas. Recently introduced Governmental guidelines, in conjunction with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, placed an obligation on local authorities to establish the groups and initiate their meetings. JPCs were established on the back of a campaign by Sinn Féin for the establishment of District Policing Partnerships to maximise community involvement in local policing,' he said. He continued: 'The Joint Policing Committee will strive to make recommendations to the relevant authorities and I remain optimistic that the initiation of this scheme will assist to address many aspects of crime that occur in our community, for example anti-social behaviour, burglaries, vandalism, assaults, traffic offences, domestic violence and drug abuse. I have raised this matter on a number of occasions with Athlone Town Council and I was delighted to propose the establishment of such a committee in Athlone. It is very important that communities play a positive role in influencing the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour, which plague our society.' Cllr Hogan said he is aware that Athlone Town Clerk John Walsh is awaiting confirmation from the Oireachtas members and community representatives as to the exact make-up of the 19-member Joint Policing Committee in Athlone. It is expected the first meeting of the Joint Policing Committee in Athlone will take place in March.