An Garda Siochana may roll out intercultural events across the State after the success of a pilot scheme which saw gardaí from Dublin’s Bridewell station host an event alongside Sport Against Racism Ireland (Sari) last Friday.
The event, which was held in the Park Inn Hotel in Dublin’s Smithfield, included displays of food, drink, clothing and music from various countries around the world. Fourteen gardaí from the Bridewell’s Community Policing Unit were in attendance along with dozens of members of the public, including many from ethnic minority backgrounds. Former Ireland soccer manager and Sari patron Brian Kerr was in attendance, as was Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.
The gardaí used the event as an opportunity to distribute information in various languages on issues such as road safety, child protection and drug abuse prevention.
A garda spokesperson told Metro Eireann that the main aim of the event was to help foster good relations with the emerging communities.
“Part of our key goals and our plan for 2007 is to get more involved with foreign nationals and their different communities. The best way to do this is through intercultural initiatives,” he said. “We’re attempting to make our presence felt and to give people the chance to get to know us.”
He continued: “This is the first time we have linked up with Sari. We’re using the contacts have gathered through their time in this field. They’ve been building up good relations with the new communities for years now and that’s something we’re keen to tap into.
“If the event goes well we will expect to have another one. After that I could see the project being rolled out by other Garda stations.”
A Chinese man who had come along to the event in the hope of meeting a garda he recognised from patrolling his area told Metro Eireann he felt that, “it is important that people get to know the gardai who work in their area. They are the ones who keep everyone safe and stop crime. It is easier for us to help them if we know them personally.”
The gardaí used the event as an opportunity to distribute information in various languages on issues such as road safety, child protection and drug abuse prevention.
A garda spokesperson told Metro Eireann that the main aim of the event was to help foster good relations with the emerging communities.
“Part of our key goals and our plan for 2007 is to get more involved with foreign nationals and their different communities. The best way to do this is through intercultural initiatives,” he said. “We’re attempting to make our presence felt and to give people the chance to get to know us.”
He continued: “This is the first time we have linked up with Sari. We’re using the contacts have gathered through their time in this field. They’ve been building up good relations with the new communities for years now and that’s something we’re keen to tap into.
“If the event goes well we will expect to have another one. After that I could see the project being rolled out by other Garda stations.”
A Chinese man who had come along to the event in the hope of meeting a garda he recognised from patrolling his area told Metro Eireann he felt that, “it is important that people get to know the gardai who work in their area. They are the ones who keep everyone safe and stop crime. It is easier for us to help them if we know them personally.”
