Groups in Lisnaskea, led by the local Lisnaskea Community Police Liaison Committee, are campaigning to prevent up to three Police officers who are based in the town from being transferred to other areas.
Ironically, the town appears to be a victim of its own success in that, thanks to the efforts of the PSNI and residents' groups, crime has been reduced in certain areas and, as a result of the resultant trust that was built up, the quality of life in those areas has improved out of all recognition.
However, the local Police Community Liaison Committee fear that all this excellent work could be undone if there is a reduced Police presence on the beat.
Matters came to a head at last week's public meeting in Lisnaskea of the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership, a body made up of independent (non-elected) and Fermanagh Councillors when former Fermanagh Councillor, Jean McVitty made a presentation on behalf of the local CPLC.
She told Chief Inspector Alywin Barton her committee understood that changes were being considered to reduce the strength of PSNI officers and, also, to reduce the opening hours at the local Station.
She asked him to reconsider those proposals: "Lisnaskea's motto is 'Live and let live'", she went on. "Please let us all continue the excellent co-operation work which has been ongoing with the much needed support of police service personnel.
"Nobody wishes to see any slippage in any of the work already undertaken. The consequences are unacceptable".
PLUSSES
Mrs McVitty then highlighted the plusses of having 12-plus officers in situ, namely - reduced crime figures, improved confidence and trust in the community, and the knock-on effect of PSNI co-operation with her Committee, Lisnaskea Chamber of Commerce, Fermanagh District Council and local housing community associations.
She told the meeting that this co-operation had led to Carrowshee/Sylvan Hill housing estates winning major funding (£80,000) to provide much needed facilities for the Town, while Trasna Way had a similar ongoing project.
"Lisnaskea", Mrs McVitty went on, "is the second largest town in Fermanagh, and it is a successful business town with a growing population moving into many new private developments. Our committee in conjunction with other groups who are working for the betterment of the area believe very strongly that our area needs all the support available to further improve the quality of life for residents and business owners".
Responding, Chief Inspector Barton assured Mrs McVitty that he shared her views and he agreed there has been 'phenomenal' work carried out in Lisnaskea, something, he acknowledged, which was appreciated and well recognised.
But, he went on: "Core to this issue is the delivery of service to the Lisnaskea community. While trying to seek dedicated officers like those in Lisnaskea, there is the issue of long term service in Fermanagh to be considered.
"This is an operational decision for the District Commander (Michael Skuce) whom I will refer your comments to".
Mr Barton also assured Mrs McVitty that, in this case, the PSNI had taken the unprecedented step of inviting DPP/CPLC to provide their views in order that this operational decision would be taken with as much information known as possible, and taking account as far as possible of the views of the public.
This week, the chairman of the Lisnaskea Community Police Liaison Committee revealed that he and other members had met with senior PSNI officers to voice their concerns at plans to transfer out up to three officers from Lisnaskea.
"They maintained there were going to be cuts", he stated, "and that we'd be losing three. They didn't tell us to where. We had prepared a presentation that they took away, more or less along the lines of what Mrs McVitty put to the DPP.
