What is the Community Alert Programme?
Community Alert is a community based crime prevention initiative in rural communities.
It was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Gardaí in 1985 at a time of concern about attacks on the elderly and is a national movement comprising over 1,300 local groups.
What is the role of Community Alert Programme?
- To reduce opportunities for crimes to occur
- To improve the quality of life of people in rural communities, in particular the elderly.
- To harnesses the community spirit and neighbourliness which are characteristic of Irish life.
Community Alert is regarded by the Gardaí as an important partner in preventing crime in the community, since this is an objective which cannot be achieved by the Gardaí without community assistance. The relationship between the Gardaí and Muintir na Tíre is formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations which was renewed in January 2013.
The Department of Justice provides funding for the national administration of the Community Alert programme, including the work of the regional Development Officers. Additional funding is provided by the Health Service Executive.