Chief Superintendent John Scanlan has said some parents don’t want to admit that their own children are involved in anti-social behavior near their homes.
At a Joint Policing Committee meeting in Portlaoise, Scanlan said anti-social behavior in local housing estates tends to be cyclical and to be revolved around a teenage group.
“Some estates do not wish to acknowledge that their own children are doing it,” the chief superintendent said in reply to Cllr Noel Tuohy who asked what could be done by residents to tackle the anti-social behavior in these areas.
Tuohy believes some of the more “upmarket” housing estates are suffering from anti-social behavioral problems.
Scanlan said he would ask the community sergeant in Portlaoise to take a look at the problem, including what he described as “loutish” behavior.
Residents could report issues and gardaí could go down and engage with the youngsters involved.
“If something is creeping in, we can take care of it and nip it in the bud.”
According to the chief superintendent, anti-social behavior from teenagers has always been as issue.
He recalled being a young Garda himself and having to speak to a young fellow hanging around street corners.
“Years later, I spoke to him at a meeting and he was complaining about young people hanging around street corners. Foxes make good hen-house minders!”
SEE ALSO – Laois County Council to vote on Gemma O’Doherty Presidential nomination
