Pilot community warden scheme to be set up in five regions as new tier of local policing

A new tier of community policing is to be piloted in five local authority areas from the beginning of next year.

Community wardens will be appointed in Galway city, counties Galway, Leitrim and Wexford and in Naas in January 2001. It is understood that their role will encompass those of the traffic and litter wardens and they will also be on a constant lookout for breaches of planning regulations and other by-laws.

The Department of the Environment confirmed it has finalised discussions with the five local authorities and that these have been asked to establish local task forces to develop "detailed implementation proposals". The deadline for these proposals is September 30th.

Mr Declan Kirrane, town clerk at Naas Urban District Council, explained what his authority envisaged as the role of the community wardens.

"Essentially we see them carrying out the existing duties of the litter and traffic wardens, but also reporting to us any unauthorised development or unauthorised connection to the mains and sewerage service.

"It is also intended that they would liaise with the Garda, reporting to them any instances of anti-social behaviour, breaches of traffic regulations." They will not have any powers of arrest.

The introduction of the new post has been discussed with the town's two existing litter and traffic wardens and, according to Mr Kirrane, "they are happy enough in principle about it, though of course details have to be worked out".

The new wardens will operate seven days a week and for longer hours than currently. In Naas this means more wardens will have to be employed. All wardens in the State will wear a common uniform.

The task forces drawing up proposals for the Department will include trade union representatives, management, the Garda and residents' groups.