BUSINESS owners in Letterkenny have called for more garda visibility to help combat what they have described as “congregations of people” outside their premises, who are “intimidating customers” and “spitting at windows”.
The views were heard at a recent Business Watch seminar in Dillon’s Hotel, hosted by Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce in partnership with An Garda Síochána Donegal.
One business owner told the meeting that while they are well supported by local gardaí, they are encountering some repeated issues around staff and customer intimidation.
“We get a lot of support from gardaí. However, we have issues with the same people who come into our store every few days shouting at staff. They’ve event spat at the windows. This has been going on for six months.”
Another business owner said they believe more visibility is needed on Main Street.
“Young people congregate around the Courtyard, and it is a nuisance. The intimidation to customers is significant, particularly between Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings.”
Concerns were also aired about criminal gangs.
“The last gang spent two days in the town. There was no fear in them,” said a business owner. CEO at Letterkenny Chamber, Toni Forrester asked for an update on distraction crimes, saying: “Some of that is still going on.”
Responding, Divisional Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Fergus McGroary said gardaí had a report of a distraction crime just six weeks ago.
“Take the time to get your younger staff trained up on the issue. Be tuned into it. This is a busy time of year for local shops, which is great for the town. But, having people switched on and having the best practices in place will help to combat that element of crime.”
The meeting was told gardaí are committed to providing visibility in the run up to the busy festive shopping season.
Ms Forrester recalled how the Chamber facilitated monthly Business Watch events previously.
“The Chamber would be happy to help start that again, if there was an appetite. We held monthly talks and they were informative. It would give us more of an idea of what is going on out there.
“Getting high garda visibility adopted here would be a good move because when gardaí are around, crime goes down.”
Letterkenny Chamber President Jimmy Stafford asked if it was best practice to encourage business owners to ring 999 if they need assistance. Responding, Inspector Paul Gallagher urged business owners to call 999 in an emergency situation.
Mr Stafford said the Chamber has a “very strong relationship” with local gardaí. He made reference to a protest and counter protest in Letterkenny in May. More than 1,000 people were estimated to have attended the protests in Letterkenny, which organisers said was about countering illegal immigration, while several hundred people took part in a counter protest near the same location.