New initiative to tackle crime in Ballymoney
Thursday, 23 October 2008
POLICE in Ballymoney have this week launched a new string of initiatives to improve community safety and combat crime in the community.
AFTER a call from members of the DPP and members of the public, steps have been taken to ensure the residents of the town and surrounding areas feel safe, be it in their own homes, in and around the town and in more rural areas of the district.
Chief Inspector David Wallace of Ballymoney PSNI said this plan, unveiled yesterday (Monday October 20) was part of an engagement strategy which would make it easier for members of the public to gain access to their neighbourhood officers.
Over the coming months Ballymoney Town Neighbourhood Police Team have a number of Community initiatives planned. The purpose of the initiatives is to identify community safety and crime and disorder issues that are important to the members of the community residing in the area. A statement issued by Ballymoney PSNI said: "This process will not work without you. Your opinions are important to us - this is your opportunity to influence local issues and have a positive effect on the quality of life in your neighbourhood.
Through this process, both the police and our partners can work together with local people to find long term solutions to identified problems."
Constable Willie Hogg will be conducting a Partners & Communities Together (PACT) survey in the Armour Avenue and Raceview Drive area of Ballymoney on Wednesday October 29 at 2pm. Constable Gary McMullan will be conducting a PACT street briefing in the Seymour Drive area of Ballymoney on Thursday October 30 at 3pm. Constable David Kyle will be conducting a PACT survey in the Glebeside estate area on Thursday October 30 at 2pm.
The information will be used to target crime and disorder issues and to enhance the service Police already provide to the public.
The supervisor for Ballymoney town area is Sergeant Pete McKenna.
The team for Carnany and the surrounding area in the West of the town are Reserve Constable Tommie Linton and Constable Willie Hogg. For the Castle area and the surrounding area in the South of the town the team are Constable Dessie Shirley and Constable Gary McMullan.
For the Glebeside area and the surrounding area in the North of the town the team is made up from Constable Sam Picken, Constable Stephen Hunt and Constable David Kyle.
All members of the team can be contacted on 0845 600 8000 - just ask for Ballymoney Enquiry Office.
Speaking to The Chronicle Chief Inspector Wallace said: "We have always had police on the beat and we have always attended a wide number of meetings with community groups, but the idea of a street briefing would tend to put some people off, but when they see that an officer is in a certain place at a certain time they may make a mental note of it and drop by to raise concerns regarding issues that may be concerning them.
“This is to make police more accessible for the public, often we have an idea what the problems are and when the public come to us we often find that our beliefs coincide. And then sometimes the public being issues to us which we aren't aware of, so this all helps PSNI." Chief Inspector Wallace added that the police on the street will be an ongoing thing and that they have a six month schedule regarding the neighbourhood policing team which also includes rural areas as well as the town. He said that he hoped the police presence on the streets would reassure members of the public that they were accessible to listen to any complaints they may have. Should you wish to discuss any problems in your local area please contact your Neighbourhood officer on the numbers listed.
