‘People feel more secure’ due to high-visibility garda patrols in Cork city

“When we have a garda presence on the streets, the majority of our problems disappear,” a Cork city retailer has said.

Last November, 23 additional gardaí were assigned to the city’s new high-visibility policing plan, with 11 gardaí patrolling by day and 12 at night.

Cork City Council and Cork Business Association also recently introduced a city warden scheme, with four staff working to support people in the city.

Ger Kiely, manager of 115 Café and Wine Bar, the Old Oak pub, and Cypress Avenue on Oliver Plunkett St in Cork city centre, said that high visibility policing has made “an enormous difference” to Cork.

“The main benefit is psychological,” Mr Kiely said.

“People feel more secure. The gardaí are there, and they’re friendly. You often see them talking to people when they’re passing.

“If you’re walking through town, you see gardaí immediately. Cork has become a happier, nicer, friendlier place,” he said, commending Superintendent John Deasy.

Engaging

Meetings were organised by gardaí before this year’s college Rag Week, involving local residents, businesses, student unions, and other college representatives, initiating a plan to increase safety while engaging all stakeholders.

Mr Kiely said that it was the smoothest Rag Week he has ever experienced in the city.

Despite current perceptions, as a publican, Mr Kiely said he has seen a significant decrease in violence over the past two decades.

“Twenty years ago, we’d have to call gardaí three to five nights a week. Now, we rarely ever do. It’s an enormous change.”

Eddie Mullins of Fitzgerald’s Menswear told The Echo: “The high visibility policing initiative has been a huge success and has been a game-changer for people like ourselves trading on the street and in the city centre.

“What we now have is consistency and improved efficiency. When we have a garda presence on the streets, the majority of our problems disappear. There is a huge vibrancy on the streets and it’s encouraging to see families visit the city in what is a very safe and clean environment.”

Impact

Aaron Mansworth of Trigon Hotels said they have also really felt the impact of the additional gardaí in the Metropole.

“It’s been very positive, we’ve seen massive garda coverage on MacCurtain St. There’s a visible presence all the time, and it gives a great sense of confidence to staff that if there was an issue or a challenge, someone is always there. The gardaí have been very supportive and engaged.”

Ernest Cantillon, owner of Sober Lane, said: “My kids love seeing the gardaí, they salute them and wave —they’re just seen as a presence of good.

“There’s a real element of community policing … someone will ask: ‘Do you know where the nearest public toilet is?’, ‘Do you know where this place is?’, they’re all trained first responders as well.

“I 100% think it’s a massive enhancement — whether Cork was safe before or not is irrelevant, as opposed to whether people feel that it’s safer, and I know that people definitely feel safer because of it.

“I think it’s epic, anything that encourages people into the centre is smashing,” he said, adding that his customers, particularly older people, have told him how much they appreciate the extra forces.