Reporting stuff to the Gardai

sligojoek · 15-01-2016 03:35AM

We had an incident here in the village tnight. There was a suspected paedophile in a van prepositioning a child. It was all innocent as it happened but ther were cars on the way ut from Sligo town. CCTV was being checked and I had 2 guards here for half an hour. The guards were on top of the game and made doublly sure everything was OK before they left.

trixychic · 15-01-2016 03:48AM

I've dealt with gardas and had both experiences.

When I was in college, someone was trying to break into the house. It was the wkd and I was alone. Terrified. Called 999 but it was 20 mins before they got to me.... I lived in the middle of town not 5 mins away. Turns out it was probably someone drunk. Nothing else happened but if it had of they would have been useless. Ie be kidnapped or murdered by the time they got there.

Then I had an incident with a personal matter and the police were as helpful and on the ball as you could imagine.

So I've had both sides. I always report stuff though. From noise pollution to robberies.

ibstar · 15-01-2016 04:17AM

Was out for a smoke late at night on my balcony and heard what sounded like someone calling for help (as well as distress shouting etc) from across the estate (across a railway).
I rang the Gardai and the woman that answered the call kept asking me for exact address from where the calls were coming from. I told her there's no possible way I can give her address as I can't see any activity (people) from where I'm standing or that far in fact. I gave her my exact location and the exact direction I'm facing on the map in terms of compass, and a general area where the sounds came from.

She said they can't send anyone as she needs the exact address.....

I just said "OK, my duty was to report" and she said "thank you and bye bye"............

On separate note. I've had to call a fire brigade 3 times when we had a visible building site in front of our house (about 400 meters away), because the rubbish that was left there attracted a lot of neighboring "rats" who set it on fire.
First 2 times I called I was surprised to find out I'm the first person to report, as this was about 5-10 minutes into the fire and the smoke was affecting a decent size apartment block in front of it, and there's a creche about 300 meters away from the fire.

melissak · 15-01-2016 11:11AM

TallGlass wrote: »

Even if nothing can be done, it's good for metrics, all this goverment care about is numbers and statistics, if there's a true reflection of the figures they are given, then even more extra Garda would be employed. It could also make for bad media, if for example reported burglaries are up 150% yet they have a 10% conviction rate. It may also make for a change in law, if for example the metrics state, 95% of burglaries are committed by previous incarcerated people.

Well, considering the number of people who don't report crimes the statistics they are lovingly preparing for whatever purpose aren't worth a ****e. All the effort put into collecting statistics is wasted.

The_Captain · 15-01-2016 12:19PM

If you report a break in, assault or mugging to the Guards:

1: It increases the chances of the Guards stopping them before they rob someone else

2: If they're arrested and have your stolen goods on them, there's a chance you'll get your stuff back if you've informed the Gardai on what was taken

3: You may be asked to give a statement helping to put them in jail, you may be awarded damages.

Don't see why you wouldn't to be honest, I've always found the Gardai to be quite good at their jobs and the scrotes are caught sooner or later

melissak · 15-01-2016 12:56PM

The_Captain wrote: »

If you report a break in, assault or mugging to the Guards:

1: It increases the chances of the Guards stopping them before they rob someone else

2: If they're arrested and have your stolen goods on them, there's a chance you'll get your stuff back if you've informed the Gardai on what was taken

3: You may be asked to give a statement helping to put them in jail, you may be awarded damages.

Don't see why you wouldn't to be honest, I've always found the Gardai to be quite good at their jobs and the scrotes are caught sooner or later

Unless you are from an area that labels you a probable "scrote" and you are treated badly regardless of your actions or character. What incentive would you have then to help?

The_Captain · 15-01-2016 01:55PM

melissak wrote: »

Unless you are from an area that labels you a probable "scrote" and you are treated badly regardless of your actions or character. What incentive would you have then to help?

Never had a Garda asking for my post code or whether I went to a free school when I reported a crime tbh

melissak · 15-01-2016 02:02PM

The_Captain wrote: »

Never had a Garda asking for my post code or whether I went to a free school when I reported a crime tbh

There might be clues other than having to ask your post code. The police force would be expected to have some detecting skills. I imagine that's part of their training.

The_Captain · 15-01-2016 02:06PM

melissak wrote: »

There might be clues other than having to ask your post code. The police force would be expected to have some detecting skills. I imagine that's part of their training.

Have you had much dealings with the police?

melissak · 15-01-2016 02:09PM

The_Captain wrote: »

Have you had much dealings with the police?

No. Have you? Why would you ask?

The_Captain · 15-01-2016 02:11PM

melissak wrote: »

No. Have you? Why would you ask?

I'm wondering what you're basing your opinions off

L.Jenkins · 15-01-2016 02:14PM

You know it's a waste of time reporting a theft to the Gardai, when the brother borrows your bike and forgets the lock, then leaves it in the local Garda station car park for safety, only to be robbed.

melissak · 15-01-2016 02:19PM

The_Captain wrote: »

I'm wondering what you're basing your opinions off

What does anyone base their opinions on. Observations, conversation, reading and imagination I suppose. I have not a bad opinion of the Gardaí as such btw. They are for the most part doing a difficult job as well as they can considering the circumstances. The system needs reform and the polarised attitudes between law abiding citizens of certain areas and the police force is a major concern and it needs to be addressed.

Mesrine65 · 15-01-2016 02:28PM

melissak wrote: »

Unless you are from an area that labels you a probable "scrote" and you are treated badly regardless of your actions or character. What incentive would you have then to help?

There is more than a smidgeon of truth in melissak's statement above...

I live in an area of Tallaght that is pretty much a no-go zone for Garda at night I presume, either that or they just can't be arsed responding to call outs in my area.

I had intruders on my property at 3-4 in the morning, checking out my workshop in the back garden (I'm known for my workshop & motorcycles) .

I released the dogs & they took off like scalded cats...

Called the Garda, informed them I had CCTV footage & a reasonably clear facial shot of one of the perps.

They arrived out two days later & admonished me for releasing the dogs...

I asked them would they prefer if I confronted them with my shotgun & received the third degree as to whether I had a licence, gun safe etc., & what I need a shotgun for

FFS what's the point?

trixychic · 15-01-2016 05:03PM

I find the problem is with the actual "999" helpline or whatever you call it.

Like someone said before by the time they ask you which service you need, address name number etc the crime could be over.

Also was reading a story on facebook (won't post link as I'm not sure if it's true or not) but it was basically a domestic violence call done anonymously. The caller was the victim and when she called she said she wanted to order a pizza and some how managed to alert the call taker that she was in trouble.

I don't think you could manage to do that here.

Ryan Mac Sweeney · 15-01-2016 10:22PM

Hi
I have reported stuff to the Gardai many times. Last summer a gang of youths with golfclubs arrived in my estate ready to attack my brothers friend. My mother phoned 999 straight away and told them what had happened. They phoned back a minute later to confirm the address. Then two minutes 2 squad cars and a paddywagon arrived and they were taking down statements from my brother and his frienda. They were outstanding and prevented someone from being killed or seriously injured. Another time my mother and I were out for a walk and a fight broke out between two fellas so I called 999 and reported it. They sent someone out and took them away. I live in Cork City and the Gardai are brilliant. I had mostly good experiences and one or two bad experiences. I love Cork City because it is such a nice quiet safe city with very low crime rates

trixychic · 16-01-2016 01:34AM

Ryan Mac Sweeney wrote: »

Hi
I have reported stuff to the Gardai many times. Last summer a gang of youths with golfclubs arrived in my estate ready to attack my brothers friend. My mother phoned 999 straight away and told them what had happened. They phoned back a minute later to confirm the address. Then two minutes 2 squad cars and a paddywagon arrived and they were taking down statements from my brother and his frienda. They were outstanding and prevented someone from being killed or seriously injured. Another time my mother and I were out for a walk and a fight broke out between two fellas so I called 999 and reported it. They sent someone out and took them away. I live in Cork City and the Gardai are brilliant. I had mostly good experiences and one or two bad experiences. I love Cork City because it is such a nice quiet safe city with very low crime rates

That's a fantastic story but I do think its one of the other problems. Some counties/ towns have fantastic services where as others are crap. Why can't it be universal all over Ireland?? We ain't that big of a country.

B.A._Baracus · 16-01-2016 03:15AM

The question that c_man asked really comes down to what crime has happened or potential crime. Say what you want about the Gardai, be that positive or negative, but they only have so many resources.

So if someone knicked your front-garden gnome and you want to call the police? don't. Just don't.
But if someone is running around the neighbourhood carrying a knife and saying that "he is the voice of his own god" - then by all means do.

Just apply a little logic people.

The Sidewards Man · 16-01-2016 03:18AM

This time of the year the guards are very busy playing their new ps4 games they got from santa so their time is drastically reduced.

punisher5112 · 16-01-2016 03:25AM

I don't need to as I am punisher

tails_naf · 16-01-2016 10:28AM

A friends (admittedly cheap) car was stolen. He reported it to the guards and they more or less said "what do you expect us to do about it?". A month later he randomly saw his car on a street in the city and stole it back, as he still had the key on his key chain!

I thought it funny that they didn't think it worth pursuing a stolen car, given that's usually step 1 to get a getaway vehicle before comitting a further crime..

TallGlass · 16-01-2016 11:42AM

tails_naf wrote: »

A friends (admittedly cheap) car was stolen. He reported it to the guards and they more or less said "what do you expect us to do about it?". A month later he randomly saw his car on a street in the city and stole it back, as he still had the key on his key chain!

I thought it funny that they didn't think it worth pursuing a stolen car, given that's usually step 1 to get a getaway vehicle before comitting a further crime..

I sometimes find and this is from experience, both alongside Garda and been on the receiving end of Garda, that sometimes they don't come across the best with how some of them word things. Like in the above example with your friend, some people don't have the capacity to realise that saying 'What you want me to do about it?' really isn't the best time to say such a thing. If he took an extra 1/2 mins to explain really what he means then there wouldn't be as must people giving out saying the Garda don't care/don't do anything. When the reality is they do care, but are only human and can only do so much, they have other jobs to follow up on and know more than likely the chances of getting your request/problem fixed are slim to none.

melissak · 16-01-2016 11:51AM

TallGlass wrote: »

I sometimes find and this is from experience, both alongside Garda and been on the receiving end of Garda, that sometimes they don't come across the best with how some of them word things. Like in the above example with your friend, some people don't have the capacity to realise that saying 'What you want me to do about it?' really isn't the best time to say such a thing. If he took an extra 1/2 mins to explain really what he means then there wouldn't be as must people giving out saying the Garda don't care/don't do anything. When the reality is they do care, but are only human and can only do so much, they have other jobs to follow up on and know more than likely the chances of getting your request/problem fixed are slim to none.

This is true. As well as this they must get people reporting some awfully stupid things too. I'd say you'd lose patientce with humanity after a couple of people reported stolen gnomes.

Graces7 · 17-01-2016 05:43PM

At the house I lived in before there, there was a problem with an old neighbour and as there was serious damage and threats on many many occasions I always reported it. Once he set fire to bushes near the house where there were power lines overhead Nothing ever got done but the Gardai were almost always courteous and kind. Oh the one time they gave out to him was when he threatened to kill them and raised his fists to them. Had anything happened to me, the background of complaints would have been important. I found consistently that the local community Constable was pretty useless whereas the ones from the local town were on the ball and much more professional. Same applies here. I find also that if you are not happy with procedure or action or lack thereof a letter to the area Superintendant works well.

Reporting stuff to the Gardai

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