New Dublin safety partnerships to give residents voice on crime concerns
Five new safety partnerships have been established to oversee local issues across Dublin .
Dublin City Council has confirmed the establishment of five new Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) across the city’s administrative areas. These partnerships have replaced the previous Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) which were stood down following the enactment of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
LCSPs move beyond traditional policing to address safety as a broad concept that includes everything from street lighting to safe spaces for children. The goal is to ensure that residents don't just see more Gardaí, but actually feel safer in their daily lives.
The establishment of these LCSPs ended a significant period where the policing committees were no longer active, but the new groups were yet to be formed. This was widely criticised by South Central Chairperson Cllr Daithí Doolan, who called out Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan for "dragging his heels" and leaving communities without a voice for more than 18 months .
While JPCs focused primarily on consulting with Gardaí, LCSPs have a much wider remit to tackle the root causes of crime. In a significant shift, local residents and community representatives make up 51% of the membership of each partnership. This majority ensures that the powers that be are held accountable and that the public has a leading voice in decision-making.
Over the next few months, the Local Community Safety Partnership will provide opportunities for residents and community groups to take part in shaping their Community Safety Plan for their Local Authority Area. Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam welcomed their formation as an opportunity for residents, Gardaí, community groups and public services to “sit around the same table and take shared responsibility for safer neighbourhoods”.
“If we want a Living City, people must feel secure in their homes. If we want an Active City, families must feel confident using our parks and streets. And if we want an Engaged City, communities must have a real voice in shaping solutions,” he said.
“These Partnerships give Dubliners that voice. This is about prevention, early intervention and practical action on the issues that matter locally. I strongly encourage residents and community organisations to get involved in shaping their Community Safety Plans in the months ahead.””
The five Chairpersons and Coordinators attended the National meeting of Local Community Safety Partnerships hosted by the National Office of Community Safety on 27 May in Athlone. They are as follows:
The partnerships bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including the HSE, Tusla, local businesses, and youth services. By working together, these agencies can coordinate their resources to solve complex problems that the Gardaí cannot fix alone. Each partnership is tasked with creating a unique Local Community Safety Plan based on the specific needs of its neighbourhood. These plans are informed by direct public consultation to ensure they reflect the actual priorities of the people living there.
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