Galway Independent Column - May 19th 2010

At a time when business is under unprecedented pressure our minds must turn to ways in which business can actually save money. One of these ways is to lessen or eliminate crimes against business. These crimes include shoplifting, vandalism, thefts, fraud, anti social behaviour or any of the other crimes that either cost business in terms of time or revenue.

Galway Business Watch is a crime prevention programme designed by the Gardaí and is based on the same principals as the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. On Monday a Galway Business Watch forum was held in the offices of Galway Chamber on Merchant’s Road where the business community met with members of the Gardai to discuss ways in which we can join together and be instrumental in preventing crime in our own community.

This can be done through awareness, observation and commitment to action, people at work can become extra 'eyes and ears' of the Gardaí and act as a 'watchman' to their own and their neighbour’s premises, in the prevention of crime. Business Watch is based on a series of ‘Street Coordinators’ who take on a liaison role with Gardai on behalf of all the businesses on their particular street. This has proven in the past to work really well and acts as an important link between Gardai and businesses.

The Gardaí themselves play a significant role in terms of specialist crime prevention advice through liaison with the Business Watch Committee to address crime and crime related issues for business. Galway Business Watch is one tangible way that business can take ownership of their own protection from shoplifters, anti-social behaviour etc. This benefits all of us as well as visitors and tourists to our city in the coming months and thereafter.

This week also saw a meeting of the Galway City Joint Policing Committee which has been set up in each local authority administrative area as part of the local government structures. The purpose of these committees is to provide a forum where a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area. Piloted in 2006 the Committees were put in train in 2008.

Both Galway Business Watch and the Galway City Joint Policing Committee are based on consultation with the Gardaí and the relevant local organisations. Inclusion and consultation on pertinent, relevant issues are at their core. We hope that Galway Business Watch will be supported by the local business community who will seize the opportunity to have their voices heard on matters of importance with regard to their special issues of concern. People often say that there’s a lack of consultation on matters concerning business, this is an opportunity to debunk that perception, to get involved and to make a difference.