Community Alert

Information

The Community Alert programme is a community-based crime prevention, care and safety programme for rural communities. It has a particular emphasis on older and more vulnerable people in rural communities.

The programme was established in 1984 and is managed by Muintir na Tíre and the Garda Síochána. It is funded by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Health.

The programme aims to improve the quality of life in rural communities through:

• Reducing opportunities for crimes to occur
• Encouraging neighbourliness and self-reliance
• Promoting accident prevention and personal safety

Community Alert Groups

The Community Alert programme operates through a network of Community Alert Groups, each of which is responsible for a particular area. A group may be set up in response to community demand or as a result of Garda contact. There are about 1250 such groups throughout the country.

Each group has an elected Community Alert Committee which manages the group and a Community Alert Area Coordinator who maintains contact with a Garda Liaison Officer. Resource materials are provided by the Garda Síochána.

Further information on the Community Alert programme and on setting up a Community Alert Group is available on the Muintir na Tíre website and in the Community Alert handbook (pdf).

Where to contact

If you live in a Community Alert area, your local Garda station has the contact details for your local Community Alert Group. If you do not and you are interested in setting up a Group in your area, contact your local Gardaí or the Muintir na Tíre Community Alert Development Officer.