Should there be zero tolerance by Gardaí towards scumbags?

I think there are a hell of alot worse problems in society at the moment. To go wasting money on this would be another dumb government decision.

Our gaols are filled to overcrowding. To convict and lock up one criminal the authorities have to release another one to make room. There isn't a single empty gaol cell in the country. Until there is, the scumbags will rule the night regardless of how hard the Gardaí try.

I've gone through this thread and it looks like most (not all!!!) opinions are expressed by the Gardai hating 'Bleeding Heart Brigade'!!

Firstly, the only way to tackle the Dublin Streets is tougher laws and a tougher hand to enforce these laws. At present the law is on the side of the scumbag (before you say it, I class 'scumbag' as anybody who goes out of his/her way to f**k up somebodys day regardless of whether they wear a buddy tash or a suit!!) so the second a 'scumbag' is arrested they are looking for a loophole in the law to have them released. (This applies to those who actually are taken into custody ... in many cases our laws do not promote custodial sentences thus the reason scumbag are not afraid of our judicial system in the first place!) At the end of the day we need the same system Rudolph Giuliani brought into New York ... Three Strikes and You're out!! Yeah, we would need more prisons but the money spent on incarseration would soon be returned after the drop in investigation/A&E/policing/compensation etc costs!

As for those who insist on refering to the antics of a couple of Gardai on that faithfull May Day ... yeah, maybe the actions of a few were a little excessive but this was in reaction to thugs attempting to scar an otherwise peacefull event. Cast your minds back to the last May Day Celebration where the Gardai used force against anybody attempting to tarnish the event. This was applauded by the natives and media alike and compared to good foreign policing!!
With more backing of the Irish people, the law could be changed to assist the Gardai to keep all kinds of trouble makers behind bars thus keeping our streets clean.

If you'e not part of the solution you're part of the problem!!

Firstly, the only way to tackle the Dublin Streets is tougher laws and a tougher hand to enforce these laws. At present the law is on the side of the scumbag

Unfortunately you've hit the nail on the head here - the gardai are effectively at their wits end in dealing with these people as no matter what a thug (and in particular a young thug) does, there simply isn't any fear that they will be punished....

The problem comes not only from the lack of cells but also in the lack of a strategy in tackling underage crime...

Question is: How do you tackle underage crime in a manner as would not alienate that person from society, while still providing sufficient deterrant to a repeat offence? Not sure its an easy answer... (in saying that you still have to try - which is something this govt is distinctly NOT doing)

Funkstard wrote:

No, that's the business owners themselves taking the initiative to try and clear the place up. /\

And, yes, I fully believe the gardaí should have a zero tolerance policy towards troublemakers. As it, they know they can get away with at most a slap on the wrist. The defiance and pure contempt in this country is shocking, little shíts going around terrorrising people and knowing they'll get away with it.

Gardaí should have the power to calm the situation 'by whatever means necessary', beating the shít ouf of the skobes would be allowed.

And people say the gardaí will abuse their power, so what, I can handle knowing a gard might beat the bollocks out of me if I'm acting the dick, I can't handle the state of Dublin's streets anymore.

Right on brotha

Spike wrote:

Just got back from New York, and I was out pretty much every night all week till early hours and never once did I get any hassle or anything. I think TV does influence peoples opinion on places like that.
I mean, I was expecting to get hassled for the way I dress (hip-hop clothes) by black folks (no racism intended! Afro-Americans if you prefer) but not once did I get any. I even got friendly with some folks from Harlem and Jamacia (Queens) and they really are really sound. Although Harlem especially has cleaned up a lot in recent years.
Even wandering through some Hispanic neighbourhoods in Queens never once did I feel slightly intimidated. Granted I was a bit apprehensive but that feeling was gone after a few minutes.

Another thing I noticed is that the cops in New York are so much...well better I guess. I mean, if you're intimidated somewhere in this country and you hang close to some gardai you should feel as if they'll stop something bad from happening yeah? Personally, it's the total opposite for me, gardai here are just like anyone else on the street.
Police in America seem a lot nicer, aswell as having the air of authority around them. Maybe it's the gun? Beats me.

One final thing (links to the first paragraph), on the plane back this morning, I really didn't want to come back here! I actually despise this country. I mean, if you do or wear something out of the ordinary, you'll undoubtedly get a lot of hassle from scumbags. New York you could wander around nearly naked (ala the Naked Cowboy) and not get a second glance. Granted that's a bit exaggerated, but you get what I'm saying.

Screw this, I'm living in America.

Why don't you actually live in America?

(or were you serious there?)

I'm gonna move out of Ireland as soon as I get my degree (4 years, bleh) -- dunno where to, though; America, Australia, or France, most likely.

Just go to college here and move over there afterwards!

The perfect crime... I mean plan.

BaldiePablo wrote:

As for those who insist on refering to the antics of a couple of Gardai on that faithfull May Day ... yeah, maybe the actions of a few were a little excessive but this was in reaction to thugs attempting to scar an otherwise peacefull event.

It seems that the Gardai have no problem taking on middle class students who are out protesting. Because they know they're unlikely to fight back.

However they baulk at tackling nasal whining, gortexed, Celtic jersey wearing bleedin' story youths hassling everyone in the city centre.