The huge increase in the number of burglaries in some parts of the county was a topic of discussion at last night’s meeting of the Community Forum in Carrick on Shannon. The issues raised included the growing trend where people now have to make their homes into fortresses through the introduction of sophisticated and expensive alarm systems and the danger that lives will be lost if vicims were unfortunate enough to confront vicious thugs who are involved in this activity.
This matter was first raised at the request of Ballinamore Area Community Council at the July meeting of the Forum and it was decided that it would be an urgent topic for discussion at the next meeting of the County Joint Policing Committee on which the Forum has three representatives.Last night it was reported that no meeting of the Committee had been held since then or for some time previously. A Meeting is now being requested by the Forum.
With the upcoming budget bound to deliver additional cutbacks it was stated that security should not suffer and that people would be willing to pay a little extra taxation in return for security in their homes and on their streets. The number of Gardai cannot be reduced further in the light of this crime increase and it was pointed out that there was a danger of existing gardai being moved into bigger population areas leaving wide areas of the country underpoliced. It is important to stress those points and their consequences to Oireachtas members prior to the upcoming budget.
LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL PREPARES FOR WINTER
The fact that there have been two severe winters in succession does not, of course, mean that there will be a third and there is no present indication that winter 2011/12 will be anything as severe as the past two. However, Leitrim County Council is ready for the worst if it presents itself and the Forum meeting was told that a new comprehensive updated Winter Service Maintenance Plan for 2011/12 is ready and a draft copy was provided to members.
The Council proposes to hold an Information Night for Community Leaders on this plan in the Bush Hotel on Tuesday November 15th at 8.00 p.m. and community leaders are invited. A number of Directors of Services and other Council personnel whose are responsible for implementation will be present and will answer questions.
Remember- TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15th 8 00 p.m. BUSH HOTEL