Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership

Kilkenny County Council and the Department of Justice have launched a new Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) in Kilkenny.

What is it about?

The Local Community Safety Partnership is a new government initiative which brings together statutory services, the voluntary and community sector, local councillors and community members to work together to identify and tackle community safety issues locally.

What is community safety?

Community safety is a broad concept that goes beyond just policing and crime. It is about people being and feeling safe in their communities, and it includes everything from visible Gardaí to safe places for children to play. Community safety needs a multi-agency approach, where services work together to deliver on the needs of individual communities.

How will this work?

The new Local Community Safety Partnership will bring all services and the community together at local authority level, replacing the existing Joint Policing Committees, to serve as a forum for discussion and decisions on community priorities. It will give local people a stronger voice to identify and tackle community safety issues.

The LCSP will have a maximum of 30 members. Membership will include representatives from relevant public services in the area, the local authority and local councillors, as well as widespread community representation.  Following public consultation, a Local Community Safety Plan will be developed by the LCSP which will reflect priorities identified by the community. LCSP members will be expected to attend a minimum of six LCSP meetings per year to discuss local community safety matters and contribute to the development of the Safety Plan. LCSP members may also be included on working groups, to fully execute the plans and strategies of the LCSP.

What else do I need to know about this initiative?

The Local Community Safety Partnership will bring together residents, community representatives, business interests, councillors, the voluntary sector, minority groups, local authorities and State services such as An Garda Síochána, Tusla and the HSE to devise and implement the Local Community Safety Plan.

The Partnership will have an independent chairperson and a dedicated Community Safety Coordinator.

Where can I find out more information?

You can email the Community Safety Coordinator, Maria O'Shea, and the Community Safety Administrator, Breda Carroll, at communitysafety@kilkennycoco.ie for more information on how we are working to improve community safety.