Thurles Community Garda Annette Connolly, Tipperary Division, reports on Thurles District School Visits
Attention School Parent Councils; School Principals; Teachers & Parents.
Thurles Community Gardaí are working extremely hard to encourage and increase school visits. They believe (indeed it is their ethos) that school visits by members of An Garda Síochána are the first positive rapport, in building interaction with many young people. “So much can be achieved by this positive contact”, stated Garda Connolly.
A small section of children & parents who flocked to the successful Thurles Garda Open Day last September.
Garda Connolly continued, “Into the future as young people get older they may witness a crime; be an injured party to a crime; or even be a suspect in a crime. They may remember the positive impact that a school visit from An Garda Síochána had and thus assist with investigations. To this end, Gardaí are endeavouring to visit as many Primary, Post Primary and Montessori Schools in the Thurles District as is possible”.
The topics Gardaí cover during these visits are based on the Community Relations approved lesson plans covering Personal Safety; Cyber Bullying; ‘Connect with Respect’; Substance Abuse; Role of the Garda; Vandalism and Road Safety.
They are fortunate and grateful that the Southern Regional Dog unit are assisting them on some of these school visits. Young people always warm to the Dog Unit and are always intrigued how dogs assist Gardaí in their everyday investigations.
Following on from their most successful ‘Open Day‘ last September 2015 here in Thurles; in September 2016, Thurles Garda station intend to hold yet another open day for all Post Primary Schools in the Tipperary Division.
You can contact Thurles Gardaí at Tel: (0504) 25100.
Very good idea