Eden residents work with Gardaí as three Neighbourhood Watch schemes launched

A commitment from residents and Gardaí to keep Edenderry safe was shown again when Neighbourhood Watch schemes were formally launched last week in Greenwood Park, Churchview Heights and Fairgreen. Formally launching the initiatives in the Community Cabin, Inspector Kieran Keyes said he was delighted to see local residents turning out in good numbers and be so keen to get involved in working in partnership with local Gardaí. Gathered locals were joined on the evening by Development Worker with Offaly Local Development Nicholas Foley, Insprector Kieran Keyes, Sergeant Kevin Quinn, Garda Joe Bradley and Garda Crime Prevention Officer Padraig Farrelly. Garda Farrelly spoke to the meeting about ways to prevent and avoid crimes both in the community and when travelling by car. Thanking Sgt Quinn, Mr Foley said the scheme was a direect result of the residents and Gardaí listening to one another and working together to tackle local issues. The Neighbourhood Watch scheme is a crime prevention programme aimed at encouraging local communities to become actively involved in crime prevention by creating a partnership between local Gardai and the community. It has great potential in preventing certain types of crime and also plays a pivotal role in easing people's fear and anxiety about crime.