[Article] GardaÃ* to patrol Luas at night

[weehamster]

Irish Independant

Gardai to patrol Luas at night

GARDAI last night began boarding Luas trams in an effort to combat anti-social behaviour on the lines, writes Una Mulhall.

At least four uniformed gardai will be travelling on the red line between Tallaght and Connolly Station and the green line between Sandyford and St Stephen's Green, between 7pm and the last service at 12.30am on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The trial scheme will run until the end of September.

Gardai and Luas management have decided to increase security because of reports of intimidation of passengers, spitting and stone throwing.

A garda spokesman said: "Now that children are on holiday from school there are increasing volumes using the Luas and this can sometimes result in more incidents."

In an effort to combat the problem, Veolia Transport are also organising for children living in areas close to the lines to meet with Luas staff.

Veolia Transport Ireland spokeswoman Dervla Brophy said: "It is hoped that by getting a better understanding of who these people are, the children will learn why they shouldn't engage in anti-social activities.".

Veolia launched a poster campaign last Wednesday asking for mutual respect between the public and Luas staff.

[Thomas Ralph]

And not before time. Hopefully they'll do more than the CSOs and security goons.

[Mark Hennessy]

Wow, a positive developement and I hope it is something that stays beyond the summer holidays.

[on the move]

This is a classic case of wasting police time and resources imo.

We already have tram inspectors and security on trams at nighttime, most of them standing around doing nothing. Besides, few kids travel at 12.30am.

The LUAS in general is a perfectly safe transport system to use at all times, be it 12.30pm or am. There is the odd incident, as you get on all transport systems everywhere, but this exercise is nothing more than scaremongering and OTT. Let the Gardai get on with dealing with genuine social disorder in Dublin.

If the LUAS really want to help passengers, they might decide to lift the pedestrian barricades at the Red Cow ramp, and build a stop at the nearby pub/Hotel. But that might benefit people, you see.

[PLUMB LOCO]

You have obviously been out of the country or asleep for a long time if you think the Luas is safe. The Red Line in particular is a hotspot for trouble - Abbey Street, Jervis and several other stops on the route have had quite a lot of problems in recent months - not too mention on the trams themselves. Even the Green Line has quite a lot of trouble with people being intimidated at the ticket machines at St.Stephen's Green so anything that can be done by the Gardai would be more than welcome. Did you miss the whole programme Joe Duffy devoted to Luas trouble or perhaps I jus imagined it?

[on the move]

I'm a regular user of the Red Line and have seen incidents. I've never seen any problems on the other line. I heard the JD debate, which was what, 10 people out of about 20 million passengers a year? You get my point.

Tram inspectors and STT are responsible for maintaining law and order on the Luas. For 99% of the journeys I see the STT lads are on board the Luas, all that happens is them lieing on the railings yapping to each other in their own language. They have nothing to do. There are robberies, carjackings, shootings, and stabbings in other areas of Dublin, REAL crimes, and that's what should be taking up the Gardais time, not checking if teenagers are acting the balls on the Dublin 8 section of the Luas.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by on the move

not checking if teenagers are acting the balls on the Dublin 8 section of the Luas.

If that type of behaviour is allowed, some people don't feel safe and hence won't travel on Luas. That means they either stay home or drive, neither of which is acceptable.

[karlr42]

Originally Posted by on the move

I'm a regular user of the Red Line and have seen incidents. I've never seen any problems on the other line. I heard the JD debate, which was what, 10 people out of about 20 million passengers a year? You get my point.

Tram inspectors and STT are responsible for maintaining law and order on the Luas. For 99% of the journeys I see the STT lads are on board the Luas, all that happens is them lieing on the railings yapping to each other in their own language. They have nothing to do. There are robberies, carjackings, shootings, and stabbings in other areas of Dublin, REAL crimes, and that's what should be taking up the Gardais time, not checking if teenagers are acting the balls on the Dublin 8 section of the Luas.

Ever hear of the concept of a deterrent? The very presence of STT has an effect on anti-social behaviour, by discouraging it starting at all- they don't have to be wrestling with youths and ejecting them from trams for an 8hour shift to be an effective deterrent and prevention of anti-social behaviour.

[on the move]

The focus here is on the Gardai.

Two of them sitting down on the Luas Citybound c12pm last night. Tram with a handful of passengers. In deep economic crisis, getting Gardai to lol about on trams doing the job that highly trained security are supposed to do, is a terrible waste of taxpayers money imo. Not to mention losing time dealing with real (as opposed to perceived) trouble elsewhere.