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Graffiti, broken windows and noisy
neighbours
22.09.11
DONEGAL crime
prevention officer Sergeant Paul Wallace gave a
presentation on home security at Monday night’s
meeting of The Woods/Doonwood Neighbourhood Watch at
Buncrana Garda Station.
Garda Brendan Roche, the liaison officer for the
neighbourhood watch in these Buncrana estates, and
Sergeant Danny Devlin hosted the meeting that heard
complaints about graffiti, broken windows, noisy
neighbours and noisy vehicles.
Garda Roche, who patrols in the estate up to ten
times a week, dealt with issues including graffiti
and broken windows in homes at nearby Mill Lane. He
was familiar with the incidents raised by residents
who attended the meeting, and circulated his
personal mobile number phone number encouraging
residents to contact him with any issues, and he
would then bring those to the attention of his
superior officers.
Sergeant Devlin said that where noise pollution –
such as loud music – occurred, residents should
contact gardaí and have them observe the noise for
themselves. Gardaí will then instruct the
individuals not to play loud music or make a
nuisance of themselves by congregating in certain
areas. |
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The recent Buncrana Neighbourhood
Watch meeting at the local Garda station. |
Persistent offenders
can be served with written anti-social behaviour
notices forbidding them from playing loud music,
congregating in certain places or other behaviours.
Should offenders ignore these notices, the courts
can impose anti social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and
hefty fines and prosecutions can be imposed.
The process is different for offenders aged under
18, with the Garda’s junior liaison service getting
involved where minors are concerned.
Sergeant Devlin added that the Garda Traffic Corps
has equipment to test noise pollution from modified
vehicles. He advised residents to report vehicles
that caused undue noise, and that the traffic corps
would deal with them when the car is stopped.
Monday night’s meeting was one of two meetings held
annually by The Woods/Doonwood Neighbourhood Watch
scheme, and Superintendent Kevin English sent his
apologies for not being able to attend. Similar
neighbourhood watch schemes operate in other estates
in Buncrana, and indeed across Inishowen. (Inishowen
Independent) |
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