Hermitage Glen scheme goes live

The Hermitage Glen Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was officially launched last Wednesday night in the Kells Resource Centre. Supt James McGowan, Sergeant Graham Tolan and Community Garda Aoife King were present, along with a large attendance of residents from Hermitage Glen and Muintir Na Tire. The night was very positive and informative for all residents. Niall Gogarty, area co-ordinator, and Supt McGowan opened the night by saying that it was very positive to see such a large attendance from the residents and the night was a good example of how community policing works within the community. Supt McGowan went on to say that Neighbourhood Watch was a partnership between An Garda Siochana and the public and was a self-help crime prevention and community safety programme for urban areas. "Every member of the community, young and old, can help to improve the quality of life, by keeping a look out for their neighbours and reporting suspicious activities to the Gardai," he said. He emphasised to the residents that community policing was one of the key actions outlined in the Meath Garda Division's Policing Plan for 2011 and he, together with all the members of Kells gardai, looked forward to working with the residents to ensure a successful community policing initiative. The night ended with light refreshments.