IFA and An Garda Síochána join forces with the National Rural Safety forum for the National Community Engagement Day.

On Wednesday 27th April 2022, An Garda Síochána are inviting local communities to a ‘meet and greet’ opportunity at over 300 venues across Ireland.

Local community Gardaí, IFA branch representatives and representatives from community groups involved in the National Rural Safety Forum will engage with the local community. It is an opportunity for the local community to get to know their local Gardaí and local community representatives. All are welcome.

Crime prevention advice will be on hand and any questions and advice regarding same can be addressed by members of An Garda Siochana on the day.

Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, from Roads Policing and Community Engagement, An Garda Síochána said, “An Garda Síochána is delighted to partner with the IFA and other key stakeholders from the National Rural Safety Forum for a National Community Engagement Day to take place in 300 venues across the country on Wednesday, 27th April 2022.“

“The National Community Engagement Day will provide an opportunity for people from all our communities, both rural and urban, to meet with their local gardaí. I especially welcome the event this year as it is the first time since 2020 that it could take place owing to Covid-19 restrictions. Engagement, partnership and problem solving with local communities is essential to our mission of keeping people safe.“

“Members of An Garda Síochána will use this as an opportunity to meet informally with local communities, listen to their concerns, discuss ways to work collaboratively to reduce crime and fear of crime and offer crime prevention advice.“

This National Community Engagement Day is designed to achieve the collaborative objective of increased community engagement and community reassurance throughout Ireland.

This National Community Engagement Day is kindly supported by members of CSNA (Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association) and RGDATA (Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trade Association) nationally.

An Garda Síochána will take this opportunity to listen to the policing needs of our communities so that we can continue to deliver on our mission – Keeping People Safe

This day, last held in 2020 will involve over 800 communities from across the country meeting with their local Gardaí and community representatives to discuss matters of importance to them such as rural safety, crime prevention and security. The meetings will be informal and will last approximately one hour.

A list of venues and times will be shared next week, so keep an eye on the this website for more information.

Brian Rushe, IFA Deputy President and Co-Chair of the National Rural Safety Forum has commented that, “it is crucial that we all work together to serve the best interests of people at risk in our communities and the National Community Engagement Day is the perfect platform for this. Community reassurance and crime prevention initiatives are at the centre of community welfare. IFA is thrilled to be working with An Garda Síochána and all members of the National Rural Safety Forum on this great initiative and are urging all communities to come out on the 27th April to make it a memorable day.”

Source: An Garda Síochána