Gardaí in Wicklow have expanded their new 'chatting bench' initiative which allows members of the public to have a socially distanced chat with an officer.
Initially put in place on the promenade in Bray, the project has been expanded this week to Wicklow and Arklow. In a statement, Gardaí explained that 'for at least one hour every week, with the time being announced beforehand on the Garda Síochána Wicklow Facebook page, a member of the Gardaí will be present at the benches, available to have a (socially distanced) chat with anyone interested.
'The topics of conversation do not have to be Garda related but in circumstances where someone is uncomfortable, for whatever reason, going to a Garda Station, this might be an opportunity to speak with a Garda in confidence.'
For example, earlier this week, Garda Niall Kennedy was in place on the chatting bench at the Black Castle in Wicklow...
A great idea for anyone who might want to share their feelings or just chat to someone else for once after a year of being locked down with the same people! Follow the Garda Wicklow Facebook page
here for updates.
