Armed gardaí to police streets over December

humanji

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this before, but I saw this article on the net.

and there's another article here.

For the first time, officers wearing body armour and carrying submachine guns will be on duty in parts of Dublin, but the Garda Representative Association said many members of the force feel unprotected.

They feel unprotected? How the f**k do they think we feel!!! Is this going to sort out the crime problem, or just escalate it?

Mossy Monk

our survey says

ESCALATE

Terry

bit late. we're half way through December already.

but, yes. the westies and their ilk wsill now arm themselves to the teeth and then the gardai will respond in kind and blah blah blah.

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

User45701

Still tho it is unfair to ask someone to defend themselves, people and public property against someone who is armed when they are not.

Anyway i have little interest in what the gardai do they have failed me too many times for me to even care just as long as they leave me along im happy i don't relay like dealing with a failure of a orgiasation

Pazaz 21

"You don't bring a knife to a gun fight"

Or in the case of the Garda, "you don't bring anything to a gun fight"

Its a good thing that the average garda is not armed because if you don't have a gun, you won't go for it. If you watch cops or any of those police chase programs (all set in america i might add) the first thing the cops do is reach for their gun and start blasting at the first sign of anything happening.

In special cases armed garda are needed but only in special cases.

the_syco

Only gived guns to those who want guns, for one that doesn't want the gun won't use it, and may regret not using it.

Backtoblack

As long as they are properly trained etc, then I think its a good idea.
I don't think they should not use guns into the future just because they initially began as an unarmed force (and with that value)..
Its a jungle out there... and even f**king tarzan needs a gun these days so the guards have my blessing...... some of them can have my telephone number too.. there are some sexy guards out there in those uniforms (i've only begun to notice recently but it's becoming something of an obsession... )

Terry

it's not a jungle out there. it's relatively harmless. nobody needs a gun. not one single person needs to be armed. ok, there is the exception of a select few gadai who do actually need to be armed in order to defend themselves agains the lunatic farmer holed up in his cottage. apart from that, there is absolutely no need for anyone to be armed in any way whatsoever.

SimpleSam06

I don't think we're getting the whole story here, tbh. Its not (just) popgun pistols being talked about, its submachine guns. Thats some heavy artillery for an urban area, more suited to house to house streetfighting than for law enforcement duties. I'd be very interested to know what parts of Dublin exactly are getting this treatment, and what ongoing situations prompted the decision. I mean, I haven't heard of any guards being shot or shot at in a good long time.

monkeyfudge

Most of the crime increase over December is just drunk and disorderly behavior surely? Hardly requires lethal response does it?

"Take the traffic cone off your head now, Motherf*cker!"

Backtoblack

julep wrote:

it's not a jungle out there. it's relatively harmless. nobody needs a gun. not one single person needs to be armed. ok, there is the exception of a select few gadai who do actually need to be armed in order to defend themselves agains the lunatic farmer holed up in his cottage. apart from that, there is absolutely no need for anyone to be armed in any way whatsoever.

Where do you live? I don't feel safe walking around in Dublin alone at night. Haven't you heard about the serial killer over the weekend in England or the murder in the IFSC etc etc? Over halloween, I passed a burnt out car near the IFSC at 7am... still burning out. Relatively harmless might be a bit tame to describe a lot of what's being broadcasted on the 9am news every night... ~Thats my opinion anyway. Maybe you think it could be a lot worse.. like in parts of Africa maybe is it??

Pazaz 21

monkeyfudge wrote:

"Take the traffic cone off your head now, Motherf*cker!"

ROFL !!:D

Terry

I live in Leixlip. Not the friendliest of places on a Saturday night, but I still confidently stride through the main street with my bag of chips and battered sausage from sammy's.
I was in Dublin a couple of weeks back (or was it last week? i can't really remember) and had no problem walking past a bunch of rowdy drunks outside a nightclub on the quays. i also had no problem getting onto the nightlink on my own.
I'm not going to let my life be ruined on the off chance some scumbag might pick a fight with me. screw them. there are scumbags everywhere and you will never escape them. that doesn't mean the streets are not relatively safe and you certainly do not need a gun to protect yourself.
as for the serial kiler. i'm not really worried about him. he's in another country killing hookers. i'm not a hooker, so that type of thing really doesn't scare me.

Backtoblack

julep wrote:

I live in Leixlip. Not the friendliest of places on a Saturday night, but I still confidently stride through the main street with my bag of chips and battered sausage from sammy's.
I was in Dublin a couple of weeks back (or was it last week? i can't really remember) and had no problem walking past a bunch of rowdy drunks outside a nightclub on the quays. i also had no problem getting onto the nightlink on my own.
I'm not going to let my life be ruined on the off chance some scumbag might pick a fight with me. screw them. there are scumbags everywhere and you will never escape them. that doesn't mean the streets are not relatively safe and you certainly do not need a gun to protect yourself.
as for the serial kiler. i'm not really worried about him. he's in another country killing hookers. i'm not a hooker, so that type of thing really doesn't scare me.

I'm from Cork, now living in Dublin.
I will walk past a crowd of scumbags too and I'm very able to carry myself etc but I still don't feel safe passing them. They're not rational human beings are they? Especially when they're fuelled with drink and drugs.

Yes those poor girls were hookers and were in another country.
Rape and murder happens in Ireland too though.

Anyway, gotta go. Hardly any of my xmas shopping done. Town will be mentalistic too! :rolleyes:

Terry

holy crap. sh said "town" in reference to Dublin and she's from cork. wonders will never cease.
prepare to have your Cork citizenship revoked by angry boards members from Cork.

CLADA

I don't think the idea of having armed officers on the streets is to deal with drunks etc.. I'm fairly sure the reasoning behind it is to provide uniformed gardai with an effective armed response in the event that patrols come in contact with some of the individuals responsible for the recent gangland murders in the capital.

gandalf

"Garda O'Shea we are sending you on patrol in Darndale, pick your weapon of choice"

"A Phased-plasma rifle in the forty watt range please"

btw julep all posters from Cork are angry members (must be something in the water).

Lump

Give them all shotguns, the reason police in america go for their guns at the least sign of anything is because they don't want to get shot. I think with the recent spate of gun crime in Ireland it is a good idea for some police to be armed and on patrol!

John

Dave!

julep wrote:

I live in Leixlip. Not the friendliest of places on a Saturday night, but I still confidently stride through the main street with my bag of chips and battered sausage from sammy's.
I was in Dublin a couple of weeks back (or was it last week? i can't really remember) and had no problem walking past a bunch of rowdy drunks outside a nightclub on the quays. i also had no problem getting onto the nightlink on my own.
I'm not going to let my life be ruined on the off chance some scumbag might pick a fight with me. screw them. there are scumbags everywhere and you will never escape them. that doesn't mean the streets are not relatively safe and you certainly do not need a gun to protect yourself.
as for the serial kiler. i'm not really worried about him. he's in another country killing hookers. i'm not a hooker, so that type of thing really doesn't scare me.

Jeez you're a great lad! :eek:

It was only a matter of time before our police would grab some arms. It's only a matter of time now before a pistol is part of the uniform for the rank-and-file. We've had it pretty sweet for so long, in that we haven't had a gun problem, organised crime wasn't an issue, and the Gardaí could just stroll around telling groups of teenagers to move on. But we're living in a rapidly changing country, crime is on the increase, and gangs are killing each other in the middle of the street. Like so many other developed countries, the police are going to get guns. It's inevitable -- although maybe not desirable.

Bob the Builder

Pazaz 21 wrote:

"You don't bring a knife to a gun fight"

Or in the case of the Garda, "you don't bring anything to a gun fight"

Its a good thing that the average garda is not armed because if you don't have a gun, you won't go for it. If you watch cops or any of those police chase programs (all set in america i might add) the first thing the cops do is reach for their gun and start blasting at the first sign of anything happening.

In special cases armed garda are needed but only in special cases.

My Thought exactly...they shouldn't have to take out their gun when there just running after people....fight fire with fire, but not fire with anything else...

markk06

CLADA wrote:

I don't think the idea of having armed officers on the streets is to deal with drunks etc.. I'm fairly sure the reasoning behind it is to provide uniformed gardai with an effective armed response in the event that patrols come in contact with some of the individuals responsible for the recent gangland murders in the capital.

Totally agree with you...

They arent going to be doing patrols of temple bar, looking for people pissing in doorways
These guys are highly trained, its not going to be your average operation freeflow Garda. The simple fact of the matter is you cant stop a coked up hit man wielding a machine gun with a baton and a stern voice.

And by the way, armed gardai isnt a new thing, you'll find all detectives have been armed for years and they dont go around shooting drunks

_Kaiser_

I'd be against the average cop being armed for the simple reason that too many of them are corrupt, incompetent or think the badge gives them the right to harass and intimidate the general public. I can just imagine individuals like this being given guns and thinking they're Dirty Harry or something.

A full reform of the Gardai, including the establishment of effective, independent oversight is required, before this should even be considered.

Dave!

Yeah I can imagine alot of Gardaí sticking a gun in some cheeky bloke's face for the laugh.

Terry

markk06 wrote:

And by the way, armed gardai isnt a new thing, you'll find all detectives have been armed for years and they dont go around shooting drunks

True. I used to regularly see gardai parked outside the dole office 13 years ago. they had sub machine guns on the laps. the dole office in question was regularly held up by the 'ra back then.

me and the biz

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I'd be against the average cop being armed for the simple reason that too many of them are corrupt, incompetent or think the badge gives them the right to harass and intimidate the general public. I can just imagine individuals like this being given guns and thinking they're Dirty Harry or something.

A full reform of the Gardai, including the establishment of effective, independent oversight is required, before this should even be considered.

Come on, you don't honestly think that. Do you?

Terry

me and the biz wrote:

Come on, you don't honestly think that. Do you?

some people do.
certain people just need to lay off the weed and their paranoia about the gardai will gradually fade and they will see that they are not actually that bad.
i had my run in's with them when i was a foolish teenager, but my attitude to them has changed completely over the years. they have been extremely helpful to me on more than one occasion.

_Kaiser_

me and the biz wrote:

Come on, you don't honestly think that. Do you?

Yes and have posted extensively on why previously

senordingdong

Pazaz 21 wrote:

If you watch cops or any of those police chase programs (all set in america i might add) the first thing the cops do is reach for their gun and start blasting at the first sign of anything happening.

That may be...but you'll often find that on these shows, 90% of the criminals encountered are armed too.
The Gardaí have rarely needed guns up untill now because criminals have rarely been armed up untill now.

senordingdong

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Yes and have posted extensively on why previously

I also disagree with you to an extent. Don't get me wrong, there is merit to your arguement but I believe the vast majority of Gardaí are not like that.
I also believe the vast majority of Gardaí would object to carrying arms.

Mutz

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Yes and have posted extensively on why previously

Kaiser - unfortunately for your, Coolock has gone crazy with SERIOUS crime. most officers are extremely overloaded with work and get very little time to do paper work and call backs and often it is the case that smaller things as you have mentioned (I know these are huge issues to you btw) are often forgotten or overlooked when more serious calls come in.

I agree that a complete overhaul of the system is needed with regard to stations being replaced by precincts (high rise office buildings with proper modern technology and physical infrastructure), resources, technology, cars, specialised units in each precinct like eru, rape, assault etc. uniform and body armour.

I would disagree however that uniform Gardai be armed. There is usually very little need for armed Gardai, but if i could express the urgent need for body armour to be issued in situations where uniformed gardai are usually the first at the scene of armed calls. it is only the plain clothes who are issued at present with the exception of a few stations testing stab vests on a pilot basis. If the government want crime fought properly, give the Guards what they want and to stop listening to these civil rights idiots who really get in the way of their work.