Meaningful deterrents for Anti Social Behaviour

Anti social behavior causes untold misery to many people across the County and perhaps the Country. There needs to be a meaningful penalty which will act as a real deterrent to individuals. To date the problem is increasing and we have no real data as to the costs involved in terms of trying to catch the individuals, processing the law and repairing the damage. In addition, ordinary people who want to live a peaceful life, pay their taxes, enjoy their environment and participate in community activities have to pay the price twice through anxiety and mounting taxes.

Prior to the last local elections many representations were made to me chiefly about such behavior. The local authority have a role in processing fines for the Bye law for the Prohibition of Drinking in Public places, the Gardai issue the fine and the Council send it to the individual some are paid and if not then its up to the Gardai to take it to the courts. This is ineffectual, the fine is derisory, the Gardai and Local Authority’s time is wasted and no real benefit ensues.

I proposed that Cork County Council expand the current Bye Law to take in all anti-social behavior and instead of a small fine have community service to repair damage to property or help the community in a specific way. I also intend (not least because I received a phenomenal reaction across the country) to put a motion before the Fine Gael Ard Fheis on March 19th to urge the Party to follow on from the Local Election Manifesto to tackle the issue at national level. Cork County Council’s Joint Policing Committee is to discuss such a proposal which hopefully will receive widespread support.

The benefits would be two fold the community would have additional help when the work is carried out under supervision, the tax payer cost would be reduced and the embarrassment would be a real deterrent to the offender. Obviously, I am speaking about persistent offenders here not a once off situation. In addition, it would prevent the growing sense of powerlessness in the face of increasing antisocial behavior. Our Gardai can only do so much and the courts may be reluctant to impose custodial sentences for relatively minor offences, especially as our prisons are so overcrowded.

I can be contacted on 087-916 1952 or at info@deirdrefore.ie for more information or if any article is of interest to you.

Thank you, Deirdre.