250 drivers have signed up to Taxi Text Alert scheme in Kilkenny

A Taxi Text Alert Initiative which has been instrumental in reducing crime and creating more awareness about public safety was recently relaunched.
The programme was initially launched in 2015 following discussions with representatives from the local taxi community by Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes.
This year, the initiative has been kindly sponsored by the local authority and is also supported by the Joint Policing Committee, which is made up of senior members of An Garda Síochana and elected public representatives.
Regional traffic inspector, Anthony Farrell said that the initiative is ‘part of the ongoing collaborative work between An Garda Síochána and the taxi community'.
“This scheme aims to maintain and enhance lines of communication between members of our taxi community and An Garda Síochána. There are 250 participants in this scheme in Co Kilkenny.
“It will continue to enable An Garda Síochána to more effectively communicate with taxi members for example, details of persons and vehicles sought in connection with crimes can be circulated in real time.
“It will also greatly assist An Garda Síochána in progressing investigation of crimes reported by taxi persons and others,” he said.
“As part of the investigation of crime, this text alert scheme, will allow circulate us valuable information to other text alert groups in an effort to solve crime and bring suspected offenders before the courts.
“Equally, taxi persons can be made aware of matters that may be of interest to them such as for example poor road conditions, perhaps severe frost or maybe road blockages at a particular location,” added Inpector Farrell.
For more information or to get involved in the scheme contact Kilkenny gardaí on (056) 777 5011.