THE chairperson of the newly established Donegal Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) says outside agencies, community groups and local organisations all have a part to play in helping to make people’s lives safer across Donegal.
The Donegal LSCSP – which has replaced the old Joint Policing Committee – will hold its first proper meeting at County House, Lifford on Wednesday and chairperson, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, said he’s looking forward to finally getting a chance to discuss and address the many issues that need tackling.
“It’s our intention to work with outside agencies like Donegal ETB, the HSE, the Gardaí, Tusla, public representatives and community representatives,” Cllr McMonagle said.
“All these organisations and representatives have a role to play, whether it’s in education or health or just local involvement, to help ensure that our communities are a safer place for all of us.”
The new committee met in November for the first time, where Cllr McMonagle was elected chairperson and community representative, Joe Boland, elected vice-chairperson.
This Wednesday’s meeting will allow members to discuss what Cllr McMonagle hopes will be a busy agenda.
“We’ll find our feet over the next couple of months, but in the meantime, we really want to make this work.
“We are open to suggestions, but our main challenge is how we can make people feel safer in their homes and in their communities.
“If there are people out there who need our help and our support, we are there for them.”
The new Community Safety Partnerships around the country are funded by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and Cllr McMonagle was among a Donegal delegation who recently met with the Justice Minister, Jim O’Callaghan who outlined the details of the government’s approach to community safety.
Cllr McMonagle said he wants to organise different events around the county where members of the Donegal LCSP can go out into communities and hear first hand the issues and concerns being experienced locally.
“There are good people all over Donegal who can play a part in making our communities a safer place to live,” he said.
“By working together, these organisations and community groups, along with the various agencies and Gardai, can help reduce crime and make our lives, and the lives of our siblings, families and our friends safer.”
