Local Garda, Local knowledge ???

dnme

I was traveling from Castlebaldwin back to Ballinafad today, I decided to pull in at Woodbrook pier. There is a ramp into Lough Arrow where people put in their boats to go fishing. Parked up there was a nice Passat with a beautiful boat trailer. The owner was obviously spending a day on the lake in his boat.

But his drivers window was smashed and there was glass all over the drivers seat. This kinda crime is getting worse around these parts. Recently we had four fisherman's cars smashed in one evening.

I got on my phone and rang Boyle Garda Station. They told me it was Ballymote's jurisdiction and that they would pass on the message and my details. Ten minutes later and I get a call from a cop at Ballymote. He asks me a few details and then we get to the complex bit....the location.

Me: Yes were on the main N4 about 2 miles south of Castlebaldwin. Right on the lake

Me: Do you know Woodbrook?
Him: - No

Me: Do you know Aghanah Church?
Him: - No

Me: About 2 miles south of Castlebaldwin there is a pier on the lake, It's right beside a Coillte site where they recently cut down all the trees; Do you know where I'm talking about?
Him: - No

Me: It's the junction of the N4 and the northern most spur into Ballinafad.
Him: Are you near Castlebaldwin?

This went on for about four minutes.

Me: Is there anyone there who knows that area that I can talk to?
Him: - No

Him: It'll be a wile before we can get out there anyway, the car is out at Ballyfarnon at the moment. If you're hanging around there, you might as well go home; sure we have your number anyway.

The guy hadn't a clue as to any of the local landmarks and I wonder if any car ever called to the scene. What I did notice about the passat is that it was so well minded, all really good tyres, tax, insurance and mot. Trailer was immaculate with lights built into it. Even had it's own spare wheel. This motorist was serious about road safety and being compliant with the law. I felt so sorry for the guy. The cops attitude and lack of local knowledge pissed me right off. Can you imagine if it was an emergency?

We as motorists are fish in a barrel to the cops, but when it comes to real crime, they just let us down. NOT DAM GOOD ENOUGH!

robtri

so speak the the super about it

dnme

robtri wrote: »

so speak the the super about it

Yeah I might do although I have heard bad things concerning complaining about local cops.

Anan1

dnme wrote: »

Yeah I might do although I have heard bad things concerning complaining about local cops.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you're not happy about something and take no action through fear then you become part of the problem. The Gardaí serve us, not vice-versa.

OldmanMondeo

Jesus, the guy could be new to the area and left stuck in the station, due to his lack of local knowledge. I am living where I am now about 9 years and wouldn't have a clue of any of the local landmarks.

dnme

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Jesus, the guy could be new to the area and left stuck in the station, due to his lack of local knowledge. I am living where I am now about 9 years and wouldn't have a clue of any of the local landmarks.

I just think cops should know their local area's well. When posted, they should study the locality and get to know it. Usually when people need police, it's in a hurry if not an emergency.

I've had this before in South Donegal. Garda hadn't a clue where I was, I complained to him there and then on the phone and got an earful of attitude and ignorance.

johnos1984

I was told before by someone in the know that if you want the Gardaí to move tell them there is a "ROBBERY taking place". Not a theft, break in, murder, violence but ROBBERY.

I've had to use it twice, both genuine incidents where one was actually taking place, and I had the first squad car on the scene within 2 minutes in both cases and many more with 3-4. The first was a robbery in an apartment block, the second was my car.

Now if you felt the need to use it and it wasn't the actual case what would happen is you'll get a telling off but you will have the cops on scene.

EDIT: The Gardaí do a great job but the above word has significance on their call out and logging system hence the fast response time. Nothing else to it really.

Or if your really lucky like I was another time, call the station to report people breaking into a neighbours house only to find they had robbed the Garda's house an hour earlier. He missed them but God he got there fast

zapata

The Garda may have been new to the area. But, I wonder is it a case of "Yera, sure let the insurance company deal with it."
Morale is affecting enthusiasm in all aspects of public service and it may get worse due to more financial cutbacks and less manpower available. Too many highly paid chiefs and not half enough indians....
Also a lot of older Guards have taken early retirement and have not been able to pass valuable knowledge to the younger generation Guards.

Gary ITR

This isn't really a motors issue and will only descend into Garda bashing so I'm going to close it up