'If not, why not?' - Questions over antisocial activity and security in Kilcohan
Parts of Milbrook have been torched by dangerous bonfires and fireworks misuse.
Antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and violence are plaguing parts of Waterford City.
At the October meeting of the Metropolitan District of Waterford, several Councillors raised the ongoing scourge of illegal activity in the city, particularly in Kilcohan.
Councillor John Hearne (Sinn Féin) said: "There was a lot of criminal damage done today [Thursday, October 16] to cars on Paddy Browne's Road and because of the excellent service we get from the community police, they were on to it like a light and hopefully they'll get a good outcome, because the neighbours trust the Guards."
He continued: "We have issues in Kilcohan and across the road, they're lighting fires. It's ongoing, the trouble there." Cllr Hearne spoke of contacting residents affected and how similar issues were resolved in Lisduggan.
He queried the current status of the local Community Safety Partnership group: "The question is, has the Community Safety forum, who are meant to put in place the structures to bring the communities together with the Guards and build that trust, have they met yet? If not, why not?"
Cllr Hearne went on: "If the people can't build the structures and put the trust in the Guards, we won't solve these problems. It's a huge issue for our lads, cleaning up the fires and the distress it causes the people." A member of the Executive confirmed to Metro Mayor Adam Wyse that the Community Safety forum meeting would take place on Monday, October 20.
Fellow Sinn Féin Councillor Joeanne Bailey said: "There's a request from residents in Milbrook to ask for an area engineer to call out to the area and see if there is anything that can be done with the green area in front of the houses. Maybe putting back in railings that were there originally when the estate was built and have some plan implemented in the area to combat antisocial behaviour."
Cllr Bailey continued: "On the back of Milbrook and Kilcohan, request for CCTV is on everyone's lips. We've been speaking with Gardaí and they say the request has to come from Council. Could you liaise with the Executive to write a letter of request for CCTV in the shop area of Kilcohan?" She added: "It's not just my area of Kilcohan that's looking for CCTV, it's all over the city. The change to the GDPR rules state that we can have CCTV. What is the hold up with it?"
Mayor Wyse responded: "I will look into requesting it. I had a meeting last night with Councillor Declan Barry as well as the Gardaí and community and they have the same requests about CCTV.
"I know there's a proposal out there for CCTV to be used for littering and pollution but to use it for antisocial behaviour is another thing. I presume the response I'll get will be that it's a budgetary issue and if the Council wants to invest in doing it, monitoring it, staffing it."
