First ever Sinn Fein chair of DPP slams policing
Thursday, 6 November 2008
NEW CHAIR of Ballymoney DPP, Sinn Fein Councillor Anita Cavlan used the opportunity of a recent council meeting to hit out at policing in Ballymoney.
Cllr Anita Cavlan, who is the first ever Sinn Fein chairperson slammed the presence of police officers at a Halloween fireworks display at a time when greater police presence is needed on the streets of local neighbourhoods.
The display, held on October 31 at The Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, was part of an event organised by Ballymoney Borough Council.
Speaking at the meeting, held on Monday November 3 Cllr Cavlan seized the opportunity to lend the weight of her recently acquired title to the matter arising, she said: "I would like to know why police time was taken up with this? Plenty of other areas had a fireworks display and there were no police involved, they had no problems. There were other events on in other areas of the Borough and there was no need for the PSNI to be tied up at a firework display." The Chairman of the meeting Cllr John Finlay asked the Director of Borough Services, Mr Michael, if he could shed any light on it. Mr Michael said it was a public event and as such the PSNI usually attend. He added: "Police present themselves anywhere that there will be large crowds, they take the decision themselves to attend any such gathering. Of course we would advise them that such an event is happening but it is up to them whether or not they attend. It's not our decision." He added that the PSNI operate within regulations to policing matters and it's entirely up to them what events they attend. He advised Cllr Cavlan to raise the issue at the next DPP meeting.
Speaking after the meeting Cllr Cavlan said: "I raised the issue of policing at a firework display as I think police have other duties to attend to. I am always complaining about the lack of neighbourhood policing. Policing a firework display is not what their role should involve. I simply don't see the need for the PSNI to be at an event where people should be enjoying themselves. To do this they are being taken away from their other, more pressing, duties. Let the people enjoy themselves at an organised event and let the PSNI do their jobs."
When contacted by The Chronicle local police Chief Inspector David Wallace said: "Police officers were in attendance at the firework display at the request of Ballymoney Borough Council, in order to facilitate free movement on traffic on that Garryduff Road and to ensure the entrance to the Joey Dunlop Centre was clear for emergency vehicles. As soon as they were no longer needed they resumed their normal neighbourhood duties."
