CCTV cameras to be erected in Offaly area to help prevent crime

A total of 12 CCTV cameras will be erected in the Rahan area to help prevent crime, the AGM of the local community alert group was told last weekend.

Preventing crime, in co-operation with the Gardai, and enhancing the life of the community are the aims of Rahan Community Alert, chairperson Ann Egan pointed out at the AGM.

Engagement with the group's partners, the Gardai, County Council, Muintir na Tíre and the HSE helps to represent the views of the community to various organisations to effect change at both local and national levels, she said.

The Gardai were represented at the meeting by Sgt William Kirwan, of Tullamore Community Policing team.

The meeting was informed of the work undertaken to support the community by supplying free carbon monoxide Alarms courtesy of Muintir na Tíre; helping to secure personal alarms by assisting people in applying for them and liaising with the deliverers to make it as smooth and stress free as possible for the applicant; supplying the “bottle in a fridge”, a system where the emergency services will check a fridge if people are alone to look for the bottle which will have a list of medications that the person is taking.

The group continue to send out text messages from the Gardai and Sgt Kirwan emphasised the need for the community to continue to support this system which helps reduce crime and apprehend offenders.

Sgt Kirwan emphasised the need for personal responsibility in protecting homes and property by ensuring people carry out the simple tasks of locking their cars, windows and doors.

He also congratulated the Rahan group in setting up a session with the Marking Machine, funded by the Offaly PPN, to identify goods such as expensive tools, machinery, quad bicycles and lawnmowers. This will assist Gardai in returning goods to their rightful owner when recovered as well as acting as a deterrent to potential criminals.

A presentation was made on the progress of the application for funding to erect cctv cameras in the area.

The system proposed is designed to site 12 cameras to cover routes within the area to track vehicles' movement that will assist the Gardai investigating crimes. It is also a deterrent to people who are likely to commit crime.

It is at the stage to apply for the Garda Commissioners authorisation to operate a Community CCTV System. The Act under which this permission is granted, the Garda Siochana Act 2005 and 2006, is going to be replaced by the new Act going through the Dail - The Garda Siochana (Digital Recording Bill) 2022.

Sgt Kirwan oversaw the election of officers and the sitting committee were all returned. In his role as a community officer he reiterated his commitment to helping the community of Rahan and again praised the groups effort in looking after the members of their community as well as supporting the gardai in their work of reducing crime.

Chairperson Ann Egan thanked her hard working committee, the local agents who support activities and the local community for their support and looked forward to a year when the group will continue the core objectives and deliver the cctv project.