I would like to invite you to a Conference entitled “Preventing and responding Anti-Social Behaviour”.
The Conference will be held in the Croke Park Conference Centre on Wednesday 29th February, 2012. A Draft Programme and Registration Form are attached; there is no registration fee but booking is essential. Please do feel free to circulate this invitation to colleagues or members of your network.
We are all aware of anti-social behaviour in our own communities. Issues such as noise, name calling, graffiti, vandalism and public drinking and drug taking can be very intimidating and frustrating for communities. When I became Lord Mayor of Dublin I set up a Lord Mayor’s Commission to examine and address the effects of this anti-social behaviour . In addition, 36% of respondents to Dublin City Council’s ‘Your Dublin Your Voice’ survey in October 2010 said Anti-Social Behaviour was the worst thing about Dublin.
The system in Ireland currently reacts to anti-social behaviour after it has happened. What kind of savings could be made if we put our resources into early intervention and prevention? I am a strong believer that bad behaviour should have appropriate and timely consequences. However, prison is not always the answer and can lead to new problems if networks are formed resulting in worse behaviour. I have seen alcohol and other drugs destroying lives and affecting the morale of communities. These and other issues will be raised at the Conference and I hope to receive feedback from those present.
I look forward to seeing you all there.
Andrew Montague
Lord Mayor of Dublin
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