Property Marking Machine launched in Offaly
The launch of a Property Marking Machine by the Offaly Public Participation Network (PPN), in conjunction with local gardai and Offaly County Council has been hailed as "a very valuable crime prevention initiative."
The remarks were made by Supt John Lawless at the launch of the important crime prevention initiative. "Every day we recover property and make every effort to find their rightful owner" he said "property marking acts as a deterrent to the criminal to steal the item in the first place. If property is stolen, Property Marking increases the chances of the items being recovered, returned to its owner and speeds up the process of prosecuting those involved."
Offaly PPN Secretariat sourced funding for the machine via the Community Activities Fund administered by the council, while Sergeant Graham Kavanagh, Crime Prevention Officer Laois Offaly provided direction and support to assist in the roll out of the training, which took place in Mucklagh Community Centre.
Among the participants on the training course were Community Watch members and also members of the Men's Shed, and further opportunities to engage in training will take place later in the year.
Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Offaly Joint Policing Committee welcomed the initiative and reflected on its value in the wider community.
The Property Marking machine offers farmers an opportunity to put a distinctive mark on their machinery and for households to mark quads, bicycles, lawnmowers and other valuable items.
Cllr Fitzpatrick thanked Bridie Costello Hynes the PPN Coordinator for her work on this project and added that "hopefully it will provide a safety barrier to all sectors."
Thanks were also extended to James O ‘ Neill, Emma Thompson and Josephine Loughlin Property Marking Ireland for their assistance in the purchasing and roll out of training.
Members of the public are being encouraged to use of the Garda Property app, which is available to download on the Apple and Google Play Stores. The App allows everyone to make a digital inventory of valuable property around their home or business.