Sinn Fein’s Daithi Doolan to lead Dublin South Central Safety Partnership
Sinn Fein Councillor Daithi Doolan has been elected as the chairperson of the new Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) in Dublin South Central.
This comes following Cllr Doolan’s criticism last December that Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan was “dragging his heels” on establishing the new partnerships that are replacing the previous Joint Policing Committees (JPC.) With no policing partnerships in place for over 18 months, Cllr Doolan stressed the importance of allowing communities to ensure “the powers that be” are “held accountable.”
“Partnership meetings are essential for residents to have issues of public safety addressed. We cannot simply police our way to safer communities, but the gardai are central to the solution and it must be done in partnership with the community, local authorities, agencies and youth services. Without the partnerships none of this will happen,” Cllr Doolan stated last December.
The new LCSPs offer communities a chance to address issues relating to crime, policing, and much more. With Cllr Doolan as the chairperson, he will bring together residents, community representatives, business interests, councillors, local authorities and State services such as An Garda Siochana, Tusla and the HSE to devise and implement the Local Community Safety Plan.
"Building safe communities is a priority for me. Unfortunately, people no longer feel safe in Dublin. We need to change that. Everyone, no matter who you are or where you are, should feel safe in Dublin,” Cllr Doolan said following his election.
"The challenge for the new Community Safety Partnerships is to ensure people feel they can be anywhere in Dublin at any time and still feel totally safe. I am committed to working with everyone, gardai, city council, youth services, local residents and community groups to make community safety a priority.
"The causes and consequences of crime do not happen in a vacuum. Cuts to services have had a hugely negative impact in our communities. Youth services, health services and addiction services are underfunded and overstretched. This has an immediate effect and must not be allowed to continue. My priority is to put a safety plan in place that makes our communities as safe as possible for everyone."
While the previous JPCs offered a chance for the local authorities and residents to consult with gardai, LCSPs have a much broader remit and bring together representatives from across the full remit of the community. This ensures all voices can be heard and an inclusive safety plan can be executed.
In a social media video announcing his new role, Cllr Doolan stressed that he is “absolutely committed” to working with everyone “regardless of who you are” to ensure safety in Dublin South Central. “That’s my promise to you and I’m absolutely committed to delivering that promise,” he said.
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