New Greenisland neighbourhood watch scheme will 'help communities feel safer'

A new neighbourhood watch scheme for the Farm Lodge area of Greenisland will 'help communities feel safer', it has been suggested.
Stewart Dickson in discussion with a local resident at the Neighbourhood Watch event in Greenisland on Monday evening.  INCT 39-720-CONStewart Dickson in discussion with a local resident at the Neighbourhood Watch event in Greenisland on Monday evening.  INCT 39-720-CON
Stewart Dickson in discussion with a local resident at the Neighbourhood Watch event in Greenisland on Monday evening. INCT 39-720-CON

The initiative is backed up by the new Text Alert and Report All schemes, set up by Mid and East Antrim (MEA) Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

They were introduced at a public meeting in Greenisland last week, where other topics such as crime trends, crime prevention and the Greenisland Master Plan were also discussed.

The Text Alert Scheme allows MEA residents to register their mobile number and then receive an SMS message with relevant community safety information in their area.

This includes dangerous road conditions, suspicious vehicles and ongoing crime issues. Registered users will only ever receive a message from the PCSP or the PSNI.

The Report All scheme allows registered users to report anything that is causing issues in their area from unserviceable street lights, pot holes and even blocked drains.

Welcoming the developments was East Antrim Alliance party MLA, Stewart Dickson. “These are great local schemes that will help communities feel safer, as well as improve community relations with the PSNI and PCSP,” he said. “Not everyone has access to, or are comfortable with, using social media platforms which many organisations now use to deliver and receive key messages and information. However, many of my constituents do have access to a mobile phone, so this will enable important information to be sent almost instantly to a lot more people in the area.”

Local Alliance campaigner, Noel Williams added: “I encourage anyone who hasn’t already to register for the schemes either by completing a registration form or by online application on the MEA website. I would also recommend direct contact with the PCSP team through Alison Kane or Billy Johnston on 028 2826 2460/69 or [email protected].”