A DROP in the number of Gardaí on the beat in communities is directly responsible for a rise in anti-social behaviour, according to Limerick City Fianna Fáil candidate, Cllr. James Collins.
He was speaking after being contacted by city centre residents and members of the local business community, who are worried about rising levels of anti-social behaviour.
“The fact is, since 2010, there has been a 53 per cent cut in the number of Community Gardaí operating in the city’s Garda stations. We used to have 80 Community Gardaí operating out of four stations in the city. Successive Fine Gael Justice Ministers have allowed the number of Community Gardaí in the city drop significantly.
“At the end of 2017, just 28 were based out of three stations. “It is no coincidence that there has been a rise in anti-social behaviour. If these specialist Gardaí aren’t working with at-risk young people, more of them will start engaging in anti-social behaviour,” he concluded.
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