Successful community policing meeting in Waterford 

Members of the Gardaí in Waterford met with a number of community alert groups in the county recently with a number of issues being raised.

The community policing initiative took place in Ballyduff East, in mid-Waterford, and was attended by Assistant Commissioner Hillman and Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit.

Also present at the meeting were coordinators from eight community alert organisations and according to a statement posted by Waterford Gardaí online, there was "a good exchange and the views of the community groups and their concerns were raised". The Gardaí stated there were some "good ideas to work on" following the meeting.

In their online post they also highlighted that community groups like those they met with "are the backbone of rural policing".

"Maintaining links with our communities is enhanced with the help of these groups," they stated. 

Anyone interested in setting up a community alert or neighbourhood watch group - of those wishing to find out where the nearest group to them is - is encouraged to contact their local garda station.

The Chairman of Dunhill Community Alert Group, Donal Murphy and his counterpart in the Highroad/Ballyduff Community Alert Group, Jay Dowdall, presented what the Gardaí said was "a fabulous picture of the Kilmacthonas viaduct", to Sgt Mick Barry as a token of the groups' appreciation. 

Sgt Barry carried out his last duty at the meeting as he is retiring after a 30-year career with the Gardaí.

Assistant Commissioner Hillman was presented with a delicious hamper on the night, "of all things Deise", for her journey back to Garda Headquarters.