Portlaoise housing estate launches Neighbourhood Watch
Portlaoise community gardaí with Hawthorn Drive residents at the launch of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, at a community fun day that also raised funds for a defibrillator in the estate
A PORTLAOISE housing estate has launched a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to help prevent crime and improve security for residents.
Gardaí attached to the Portlaoise Community Policing Unit attended the launch at Hawthorn Drive, during a community fun day that also raised over €700 towards the cost of a defibrillator for the estate.
Community gardaí provided information and advice for residents, who also had a chance to have items such as phones, laptops and bicycles security-stamped free of charge.
Similar to Community Alert schemes in rural areas, Neighbourhood Watch is a community-led crime prevention and safety programme for urban areas and is run in partnership with gardaí.
It works on the basis that everyone can help to improve an area’s quality of life by looking after neighbours and reporting suspicious activities or anti-social behaviour to gardaí.
Families, friends and neighbours gathered in Hawthorn Drive for the sun-filled event on Sunday 23 August, when people of all ages enjoyed hours of fun, friendship and community spirit.
There was something for everyone, with children's sports, basketball, face-painting, a children's art station and music providing plenty of entertainment. Children and grandchildren were warmly welcomed, helping to make the event a truly family-friendly occasion.
A raffle featuring lots of fantastic prizes proved particularly successful in raising funds for the vital cause.
A spokesperson said: ‘The committee would like to express its sincere thanks to everyone who helped organise the day, donated prizes, provided refreshments and activities and, most importantly, came along and supported the event.
‘The success of the day is a wonderful reflection of the community spirit within Hawthorn Drive and the committee hopes that it will become an annual event for residents to look forward to.
‘A special thanks goes to all the residents who supported the fundraising effort. Raising over €700 brings the community one step closer to having a defibrillator available within the estate, an important addition that could potentially save a life.
‘Many thanks to everyone who made the Hawthorn Drive Community Fun Day such a success. The committee looks forward to building on this wonderful community spirit in the future.’
