Tipperary gardaí introduce new collaborative model to solving repeated incidents of crime

An Garda Síochána has introduced a new model for investigating groups of incidents.

Outgoing Crime Prevention Officer Garda Tom O’Dwyer gave a presentation on the SARA Problem Solving model at a recent Tipperary Joint Policing Committee meeting.

Garda O’Dwyer said it will be the model the gardaí will use going forward. It is envisioned that the model will help to find long-term solutions to repeated problems by addressing “underlying factors.”

The model will work with stakeholder like residents, businesses and elected representatives and the local authority.

It has four steps, scanning, which involves putting together a working group of stakeholders to answer the questions of who, what, where and why.

“This is the kind of information we are looking for to build up a picture of the problem in the first place,” said Garda O’Dwyer.

Next is analysis of location, offenders and victims. Garda O’Dwyer said the location, for instance could be the issue.

It may lack something like CCTV or have something like a congregation area. Addressing this may solve the problem.

They might look at the victim to see if there is a way of reducing the likelihood of being victimised.

The aim is to look at the causes of crime and address those as opposed to individual incidents.

Next is response, assessment and potentially reassessment.

“You will hear more about this in the future,” said Garda O’Dwyer.

A POSITIVE RESPONSE

The model received a positive response from the committee.

Cllr Annamarie Ryan asked if they can request the model when making a report. Garda O’Dwyer said you can if the problem is part of a pattern.

Cllr David Dunne said that the model would have helped solve issues he would have seen in Carrick-on-Suir.

He said a collaborative approach has traditionally been able to keep trouble in a community at bay.

“Before phones if you did something down the town, by the time you were home, your mother knew about it. How she knew I don’t know.

“They say it takes a village to rear a child, but there were always people looking out. We need to go back to people caring for their neighbours and their area.

He said he thinks the SARA model is the way to do that.

Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan said the gardaí are already implementing elements of the plan, such as crime prevention through environmental design.

This means the gardaí consult when an estate or development is being designed to prevent congregation areas or other things that might facilitate crime.

“We can solve these problems before they develop at all. These things can work really well, but they are at an early stage, said the Chief Superintendent.