A new text alert scheme was launched in Fermoy on Monday night. People were welcomed to the information night by Mayor Olive Corcoran. She welcomed the new initiative and advocated its use by the citizens of Fermoy. She continued by highlighting the issues faced, especially by the elderly, in the town.

Superintendent Michael Comyns then addressed the meeting, firstly thanking Neighbourhood Watch for their great work and saying that he looked forward to continuing this work in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch. Supt Comyns added that a number of pilot schemes were undertaken throughout the country and a number of valuable lessons were learned through those schemes.

He explained how the scheme would operate, with text messages being sent by An Garda Siochana to recipients registered with their local Neighbourhood Watch or Community Alert Group. The messages would focus on sharing information about crimes and suspicious activity in the locality.

On behalf of Fermoy Neighbourhood Watch, Pat Bowes added his thanks to all who were present and for the presentation given by the Superintendent. He explained that Fermoy Neighbourhood Watch was in existence for over eight years and that Text Alert would add to the other tasks undertaken by it, such as the monitored alarms and would further strengthen crime prevention.

Pat Bowes stated there was a great relationship in Fermoy between the gardai and the public and this new scheme would add to this. He asked for all residents associations, groups and any interested individuals to contact anyone on the Neighbourhood Watch committee, Community Garda Kathryn Canty, Sergeant Andrew Geary or any of their local representatives.

Mike Walsh of Walsh's Pharmacy addressed the meeting to highlight the local success of a similar scheme, the Fermoy District Business Watch Text Alert System. That scheme is soon to be renewed.

There followed a question and answer session with a number of pertinent local issues being discussed and highlighted. Community activist Joe Tobin challenged the local politicians present, Mayor Olive Corcoran, Councillors Noel McCarthy, Tadhg O'Donovan, John Murphy and Frank O'Flynn on the issue of the modest phone allowance being cut from senior citizens in the recent budget. Many used their phones to operate their personal alarms, he pointed out. He asked that they make representations to have the allowance reintroduced.

Community Garda Kathryn Canty said she looked forward to gathering the list and seeing the scheme in operation. She added it was great to see new faces and interested members of the public at the meeting and encouraged as many people as possible to get involved in the scheme.

Further meetings are envisaged in each parish and community. Anyone who'd like further information can ontact herself, Garda John Hennessy, Mitchelstown Garda Station or Sergeant Andrew Geary.

To conclude the meeting Sergeant Andrew Geary highlighted the strengths of the new scheme and explained the only thing they are asking people to do with the text message is to phone their local Garda station if they see or come across the issue dealt with in the text message.

The Text Alert is designed as a means of instant communication with hundreds of members of local communities simultaneously, asking them to use their eyes and ears and to relay this information back to the gardai.

blog comments powered by Disqus