A six year Strategic Plan for the Wicklow County Council Joint Policing Committee (JPC) was launched at a public meeting in Roundwood Parish Hall on Wednesday night.
The 2016-2021 Plan was prepared in order to ensure that the Joint Policing Committee takes a strategic and collaborate approach to policing issues in County Wicklow.
It is also intended to strengthen the strategic alignment of the JPC with other relevant county plans and structures.
Four themes are identified within the Plan which will form the key objectives for the JPC’s annual work plan for 2017.
The key areas identified are:
- Policing Communities
- Tackling Crime in Rural Areas
- Drug Prevention
- Communications
The priority objectives were compiled following a wide stakeholder consultation session held in March this year and from the issues raised at public meetings of the JPC held at various locations throughout county Wicklow since the Committee’s inception.
Speaking at the launch of the Plan, the Chair of the JPC, Cllr Jim Ruttle said: “The JPC represents a collaborative approach between the Council, An Garda Siochana and the voluntary sector in supporting policing and enhancing community safety for the citizens of County Wicklow. I look forward to working with the Committee and the wider stakeholders in implementing the actions contained within the Plan”.
Chief Superintendent John P Quirke joined with the Chair and committee in welcoming the launch of the Strategic Plan saying that “the Gardai look forward to working with the Committee in strengthening the engagement with community networks to maximise and increase the partnership approach in the prevention of crime in County Wicklow”.
Mr Bryan Doyle, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, thanked all of the stakeholders for their contribution in the development of the Plan and commented that “the implementation of the actions under the key priority areas identified within the plan will assist to enhance the quality of life for both urban and rural communities in County Wicklow”.
