Deputy Joe McHugh proposes that Gardai visit Schools and Youth Projects on a regular basis in a bid to tackle the growing problem of Anti Social Behaviour.
McHugh calls for Gardai to visit schools and youth projects to discuss anti-social behaviour.
Fine Gael’s Joe McHugh has asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to consider a programme, whereby Gardai visit schools and youth projects on a regular basis in a bid to cut down on anti-social behaviour.
In a question to Minister Lenihan, Deputy McHugh urged the government to take the necessary steps to combat the increasing problem of anti-social behaviour in the towns and villages across the country.
“We are seeing more and more incidents of anti-social behaviour and it has come to the stage that some people are scared to leave their homes at night. We cannot stand idly by as this situation spirals further and further out of control. I wish to acknowledge the continuous hard work by the Gardai, who are doing their best but it is not just prevention that is necessary but education. I would like to see the Gardai visit the schools and various youth projects on a more regular basis to talk to teenagers.”
McHugh believes if Gardai regularly talked to young people, they would find less incidents of the behaviour, which has been highlighted in recent months. He also is of the opinion that Gardai need to get to know the people of the towns they are working in, as was the case when he was growing up.
“When we were growing up, we knew the names of all the Gardai and they knew us. New Gardai are arriving in towns and villages weekly and no one even knows their name. If the young people of a town know the Gardai and talk to them on a regular basis, they are less likely to cause disturbances in the area. Gardai in the past have got involved in community activities such as GAA, Athletics and youth clubs, which had a very positive impact in areas. I believe that we need to get back to this kind of community involvement. There are still a number of communities, where Gardai are participating in local activities, but it is imperative that this tradition continues.”
Minister Lenihan informed McHugh that there were two such programmes undertaken by the Gardai at present, but McHugh feels that much more needs to be done. He also feels that the community Gardai programme must be rolled out across the country as it is major help in both rural and urban areas. He says that his time as a community youth worker, working in Letterkenny, he witnessed the great success of the deployment of community Gardai in the Glenboe area, which is still ongoing today.
“No one has all the answers to this problem but it is an issue that must be addressed as it is of national importance. Gardai have a huge role to play in tackling anti-social behaviour. Instead of using extra resources to catch those involved in criminal activities, we should deploy Gardai to educate young people and to get to know them on an individual basis. We can prevent these impressionable young people from making the wrong decisions and I will continue to discuss the matter with the Minister.
Current Reviews: 1 Date: Thursday 14 February, 2008. 
