End of era!
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Moyle's Community Safety Partnership has been applauded for its contribution to improving lives in the area.
Since its inception in 2005, the Partnership has delivered over £1m worth of funding into the area, helping over 50 different projects. Now it is preparing for a different future as it is set to merge with the local District Policing Partnership to create the new Policing and Community Safety body under regulations contained in the Justice Act.
Community Safety Partnership Manager Bridgeen Butler attended a recent meeting of Moyle District Council to outline its success story.
Since coming into effect, there has been a year on year decline in anti-social behaviour in Moyle, as its youth and community programmes have had a diversionary effect on potential offenders.
Programmes it has helped develop include the Halloween parade in Ballycastle, Brighter Nights street entertainment and seafront Rangers scheme, Community Safety Wardens, the re-opening of Youthlinks, extended CCTV , the Film Club, youth arts programme, Safe and Sound workshops and the setting up of the ABBA community group in Ballycastle and the mental wellbeing group SOLAS.
Speaking at the meeting, Bridgeen thanked the council, councillors, colleagues, the Department of Justice and all partnership organisations, before adding that it was the 'end of an era'.
“Policing and Community Safety Partnerships will be in place sooner rather than later but our legacy will carry on through," she said.
Praise
Praise for the work of the CSP was lead by Council Chairman Paudie McShane who said he hoped it would continue in the future.
Vice-Chair Sandra Hunter said the partnership was behind some 'great events' and she said she hoped its work would not be suspended in the process of change.
Joan Baird of the UUP said: "Thanks to you for the effort you put in. I have had no complaints about young people - you've worked wonders. The warden scheme has captured the imagination of young people and made the town and district safer and better for us and tourists".
Her party colleague Willie Graham thanked Bridgeen for all her work over the years and said he hoped for a 'long and happy marriage' with the DPP.
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