CCTV cameras needed on motorways to deter city burglars, Cowen
CCTV cameras should be installed on motorways to deter urban criminals from targeting rural dwellers in Offaly and neighbouring counties.
That's according to Deputy Barry Cowen, who says that 'immediate and bold action' needs to be taken to tackle the growing crime wave in rural Ireland.
“There were 332 Gardai based in Offaly in 2012 but as of February 2015 this figure had fallen by 58 to 274. The Government have closed 140 local Garda stations across the country and have drained vital resources from our police force. It is clear Fine Gael and Labour are not serious about tackling crime.
“Fianna Fail are committed to strengthening the Garda force to 14,000 and introducing tougher sentencing for those who are convicted of burglary offences.
“It has been widely acknowledged that criminal gangs are using the motorway network to carry out burglaries. To combat this problem we will install CCTV cameras on motorway exits to detect criminal activity alongside allocating more high powered vehicles to the Garda force.
“Fianna Fáil will establish a Neighbourhood Watch Directorate to centrally support and drive community neighbourhood watch programmes. We will also enact legislation which introduces longer sentences for those that assault elderly persons in our communities.
“It is important that the Gardai are adequately equipped to tackle crime in the 21st century. We are proposing a significant investment programme in the technology Gardai currently use to allow for smarter and more effective policing in our rural communities.”