A new policing plan for Dublin city centre will include increased use of Garda search powers, as well as ensuring greater visibility of gardaí.
As the Irish Examiner reports, an increased focus on the congregation of large groups of people who are perceived to be engaging in anti-social behaviour is also included in the new plan.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee met with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, who outlined the new city centre plan.
As part of the plan, gardaí will use “proactive policing responses” to deal with anti-social behaviour in the city centre, with further use of Garda search powers on both individuals and locations.
The gardaí will also increase targeted surveillance measures as well as increase their focus on dealing with large congregations of people who may be engaging in anti-social behaviour.
Gardaí will also receive assistance from both regional and national resources, including the Garda Air Support Unit, the Garda Mounted Unit, and the Garda Dog Unit. Road policing units will also be deployed to increase Garda visibility.
The plan itself is supported by Ms McEntee’s announcement that an additional €10m would be allocated towards Garda overtime in Dublin City.
Additionally, there will be both daily and weekly reviews of outcomes from the new plan on areas that experience high levels of anti-social behaviour. These reviews will then be examined as part of future plans by the gardaí.
There was a discussion about the rollout of bodycams for gardaí at the meeting.
Mr Harris was previously sanctioned to begin buying the bodycams in late June. However, the rollout of controversial facial recognition technology has been delayed, with Ms McEntee being forced to back down following a row between the Green Party and Fine Gael last month.
During the meeting, Ms McEntee confirmed that a budget package of supports for An Garda Síochána was being developed in her department. These areas include examining both the garda entry and retirement age, as well as measures to support recruitment.
She also confirmed that the latest round of funding under the Community Safety Innovation Fund would be announced in the next few weeks. This fund, which is funded by the seized proceeds of crime, is used for safety projects around the country.
