Local Community Safety Partnership ‘hubs’ key for safer streets and stronger communities in Dublin West – Currie

Local Community Safety Partnership ‘hubs’ in our suburban villages, led by Community Gardaí and supported by crime prevention partners, could be a key step in ensuring safer streets and stronger communities for Dublin West, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Fine Gael Senator Emer Currie said the hub would in theory co-locate Gardaí, youth workers, Tusla, Juvenile Liaison Officers and Drug Prevention Officers in Local Safety Partnership Hubs in areas to visibly demonstrate the government’s commitment to innovative policing and community safety.

“The Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) model, legalised under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 which passed through final stages in the Oireachtas this week, has shown promise in locations such as Dublin’s North Inner City, Waterford and Longford and will soon begin rollout across the country,” Senator Currie explained.

“I have called for Dublin West and the wider geographical area of Blanchardstown with its population of around 130,000 people to be prioritised in that rollout. For an area of this size, we have varying policing demands and priorities, but across the board, visibility and access to Gardai is key.

“Within that we have places that have their share of anti-social behaviour, car thefts, and drug dealing. Garda recruitment, while ongoing and ambitious for 2024, takes time. In the interim, there are additional initiatives, such as LCSP hubs, that could be explored for the wider Blanchardstown area.

“The introduction of Local Community Safety Partnership hubs on our Main Streets in Dublin 15 would bring together Community Gardaí, youth, HSE and drug partners to key locations, which would be charged with devising and overseeing a Local Community Safety Plan and be informed by the community itself.

“This proactive approach, combining a variety of community and law enforcement resources, would increase the visibility of our community Gardaí and other support services and would encourage greater cross-community communication and co-operation.

This is a concept I will be raising with my Fine Gael party colleagues and could play a key part in creating safer streets and stronger communities.” Senator Currie concluded.