The chair of the new pilot Longford Community Safety Partnership says its key aim is to ensure a safe community
Almost forty people attended the inaugural meeting of the partnership on Monday, which was held remotely, and chaired by Martina Moloney who described the pilot as a great opportunity for the county.
The first meeting of the new Longford Community Safety Partnership heard that the county will form a key part of the national roll-out of the new system which it is hoped will replace the well-established Joint Policing Committees.
Two other pilots are also getting underway this autumn, in Waterford, and the north inner city in Dublin.
Chair Martina Moloney hopes that the pilot will allow for the creation of innovative solutions tailored to the needs of Longford, and there is a common objective of a safe community that everyone can aspire to.
Ben Ryan, a senior official in the Department of Justice, outlined that the pilot hopes to create safer communities for people and encourage greater participation in community activities.
Garda Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon explained that all resources from the various stakeholders will need to be pooled together to ensure of the pilot's success and he welcomed the multi-agency approach to community safety.
The meeting heard that the pilot will be continuously evaluated throughout its 24-month long duration, with a suggestion that the pilot needs to encourage the creation of sub-committees to tackle some of the key aims as well as encouraging greater co-operation among its 30-strong membership.
