‘Policing debate shouldn’t focus on buildings’
ONE of the key architects of the successful campaign to save Skeagh House has joined the police station debate by suggesting effective local policing may not, in fact, depend on the Dromore, base staying open at all costs.
Louis Boyle was instrumental in helping stave off the proposed closure of Skeagh House, but this week, while stressing he was fully committed to the importance of an effective police presence in Dromore, he questioned the wisdom in focusing the debate on buildings.
“It seems to me, he said, “that the debate has become centred around the question of whether the police station remains open or closed and a strong campaign is building up to keep it open.
“I believe that there is the need for a wider debate about how to maintain and develop more effective policing in this area rather than simply focusing on buildings.
“I have lived in Dromore for over 25 years and I have never once been inside the Dromore Police Station; in all of my time living here I have never seen anyone entering or leaving the station, whether police or civilian.
“I am aware that the station is open on a part-time basis only. If you need to contact the police you ring a central telephone number and will get through to Banbridge police.”
Mr. Boyle, who unsuccessfully contested the most recent local government elections for the SDLP in Dromore and continues to speak as a local party representative, stressed that, whatever the party’s view on the closure of individual police stations, he was speaking in a personal capacity.
When it came to policing, he said, like most citizens, what he wanted was a regular and visible police presence, a “responsive, accessible, transparent and effective police presence in the town and district”, applying equally to crime prevention, a speedy response to crime or anti-social behaviour, effective investigation of crimes and support for victims.
“I have an open mind as to whether the station needs to be kept open at all costs or not,” he said, “but we should have a wider debate.
“If it were to be decided that the station should close then I would want to ensure that what resources were freed up would be redeployed in having more police personnel and police time in the town.
“If the station were to close surely there are other ways in which the police could make themselves transparent and accountable and available for people to contact them.”
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Weather for Dromore
Thursday 24 May 2012
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