CALLS are to be made for a joint approach to tackle anti-social behaviour in housing estates after residents voiced fears about leaving their homes at night time.
Councillor Michael McBride has said that in some areas residents are “living in fear” because of the incidents. Cllr McBride said he became aware of the issue when out canvassing for the forthcoming local government elections next month.
He is to table a motion at tomorrow’s meeting of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, calling on Donegal County Council and An Garda Síochána to establish a joint approach, by each appointing a liaison officer to deal with the issues.
“We have been out canvassing a lot over the last five weeks and on a lot of doors we have knocked on we have received a lot of complaints from householders about serious problems with anti social behaviour and people dumping rubbish outside houses,” Cllr McBride told the Donegal News.
“I think for anyone granted a council house they have a social and moral responsibility to respect that property and their neighbourhood. We have heard of bags of rubbish being dumped and out of use cars outside homes being used as storage units. There have been complaints of drinking and drugs too,” added Cllr McBride.
“The people we have spoken with are terrified to leave their homes in the evening because of what is going on. People have commented that what they are enduring is a living nightmare,” he said.
He is calling for a combined effort from both the council and gardaí to ensure a duty of care to residents. Asked, that given limited resources, if he thought his proposal would be supported, Cllr McBride said it could be “a win win” for all involved.
“Residents have told me that when they have called gardaí about it they have been advised to contact Donegal County Council and vice-versa. I propose we appoint a liaison officer in the council and a liaison officer within the station who will work to resolve this. I think this approach could be a win win. The situation needs a joint response,” concluded Cllr McBride.
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