Laois gardaí break new ground with Portlaoise community policing project

Laois Gardaí are urging the people of Portlaoise to buy into a new policing initiative that will see the town divided up into eight zones with Community Gardaí assigned as the point of contact for the public to help tackle issues that require garda support in their areas.

Gardaí say the new Portlaoise Sectoral Policing Initiative will see the town's Community Policing unit deployed across the eight zones with the back-up of more than 40 gardaí dedicated across the areas. Gardaí management has also pledged that the Community officers will have the full support of specialist units such as the drug squad where the need arises.

An interactive new website has been launched to help the public identify which zone they live in to find out who their local community garda is so that non-emergency issues can be addressed at a community level first.

Apart from having dedicated community policing, Gardaí say the model will see an enhanced visible presence of gardaí out of patrol cars on the beat on streets and estates and the town's outskirts.

Introducing the initiative, the Gardaí say all at Portlaoise Garda Station are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the community through innovative policing strategies and close community engagement.

The new initiative has been operational since January 22 driven by the Portlaoise area Superintendent Eamon Curley who officially launched the project on February 22 in the town's Garda Station.

He says Portlaoise town has been strategically divided into the eight zones, adhering to Central Statistics Office geographic delineations. He said the assingned community officers will be bolstered by the support of regular Gardaí from Portlaoise Garda Station assigned to specific areas within each zone.

"This structure aims to ensure that every street, home and business in Portlaoise benefits from dedicated patrolling by An Garda Síochána. These teams, led by Inspectors and Sergeants, are equipped with access to specialised teams and management support.

"Community Policing Gardai will adopt a holistic problem-solving approach to community needs. The framework supports resource management and aim to improve service delivery within Portlaoise," he said in a statement.

A statement said the interactive map detailing the division of Portlaoise into the eight designated zones is available to the public providing valuable information on the designated Community Policing Garda for each area.

"This initiative will enhance our ability to increase Garda visibility, prevent crime, resolve issues of local importance and strengthen community engagement," said Supt Curley.

For more information and to view the interactive map, please visit https://arcg.is/08rPP9

Gardaí say you can navigate the map by zooming in on the Portlaoise Area. The map gives you an overview on Functional Areas, Team Areas and Community Policing Areas. 

The Gardaí initially appointed as Community Gardaí are Ronan Maher, Joe Fahy, Danny Sheehy and Aran Grehan. They are led by Sgt Jayson Hughes with the back up of Portlaoise Garda Station's Sergeant in Charge, Anita Scully. While the personel may change as time goes one, garda are committed to what is an extension of a national policing initiative that is also being operated elsewhere.

Garda Resources were realigned as part of setting the zones and designating officers. A review of its sucess may lead to the allocation of more resources and extension to other towns such as Portarlington and Mountmellick.

Portlaiose Gardaí urge anybody with queries to contact them via email Portlaoise.Community@garda.ie or at Portlaoise Garda Station by phone (057)8674100.