Community policing unit relaunched in Athlone

Athlone's community policing unit, which was affected by a loss of resources during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been relaunched this week.

The unit is led by Sergeant Damien Connaughton, who is being supported by four officers from the local station.

Superintendent Michelle Baker said community policing had long been part of the work of An Garda Síochána in Athlone, but resources from the unit had to be redeployed elsewhere during the pandemic.

She said the time was right to reactivate the unit, which will be engaging with schools and local organisations, such as youth groups, business bodies, residents' associations and men's sheds, as part of its work.

"This is about re-energising the unit's purpose now, post-Covid," Superintendent Baker told the Westmeath Independent.

"This is a really important time of year for community policing because you're facing into the winter months, which can be an anxious time for communities or vulnerable people, but there's also a natural cycle with the school year.

"We look to get involved with preschools, national schools, secondary schools and the third-level university. The school system gives us a great opportunity to have conversations with young people."

She said Sergeant Connaughton was working in community policing throughout the pandemic, but without the support of a dedicated unit.

"He will now have the resources to answer the demand, and there is a substantial demand for this.

"People always welcome a guard into their groups and look for advice, be it on crime prevention, road safety, or issues like the dangers of alcohol abuse."

She said that if community groups wanted to get in touch with the unit they should contact the station and ask to speak to Sergeant Connaughton.

The relaunch of the unit was welcomed by Athlone councillor Aengus O'Rourke, who said he had been lobbying for this for a number of years.

"Ten years ago, we had a very effective unit operating in Athlone. Gardai were often seen on bicycles and on foot, they were linking in with schools, with social and sports clubs and with residents' associations across the town," said Cllr O'Rourke.

"It worked extremely well, and it meant that Gardai were visible, they could see what was going on, and they had a real feel for the issues around the town.

"An effective and well-structured community policing unit can identify issues or potential issues as they are emerging.

"This early intervention strategy is crucial to breaking down local crime before it happens, particularly crime that is generally committed by young people in local areas."

He paid tribute to Sergeant Connaughton for his work as the sole community policing representative during the last two years, saying he had done "an impossible job" very well.

"Credit is also due to our new Superintendent, Michelle Baker, who has certainly hit the ground running with the establishment of this new community policing unit for Athlone."

Cllr O'Rourke added that there was still a pressing need for more Gardai to be stationed in Athlone.

"As we all know, Athlone needs more Gardai. We are critically low in terms of Garda numbers," he stated.

"I will continue my campaign with the higher echelons of An Garda Síochána to ensure Athlone gets its fair share of personnel and recruits going forward."