Concerns raised over ‘terrifying’ behaviour of teenage gangs in Waterford city
The matter was discussed during a recent meeting of the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership
Concerns have been raised over the “terrifying” behaviour of “gangs of teenagers” in Waterford city.
A resident of the city centre submitted a question to the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) outlining their concerns.
The question was subsequently addressed at a public meeting of the WLCSP, which was held in City Hall on Monday evening.
The meeting heard that the resident raised concerns over the “terrifying” behaviour of the teenagers, who are “intimidating” people in the city centre.
They observed that the teenagers that engage in such behaviour come from families where there is “no parental supervision”.
The resident asked the gardaí what was going to be done to stamp out such behaviour in the city centre.
In response, Garda Superintendent Gavin Hegarty began by saying that the vast majority of young people who visit the city centre do not engage in anti-social behaviour.
Superintendent Hegarty highlighted the allocation of new gardaí to the city and the subsequent roll-out of high-visibility beats, which got underway on Monday.
He said that these beats should ensure the gardaí have “significant visibility” and presence on the streets of Waterford.
He also said that their presence will help in responding to incidents of anti-social behaviour, public order and burglaries in the city.
Superintendent Hegarty outlined the gardaí’s approach to dealing with young people who have committed an offence.
He said that they work closely with Tusla to ensure there are alternative pathways and opportunities for young people.
He stated that gardaí don’t want to “criminalise young people” and highlighted the importance of engaging with them and providing alternative paths.
Superintendent Hegarty concluded by saying that the gardaí are committed to dealing with the issue of anti-social behaviour in the city centre.