Pilot schemes being launched today in Longford, Waterford and Dublin's North inner city will allow locals draw up policing plans.
A report released two years ago sharply criticised the existing Joint Policing Committee system, saying some were run as "talking shops" with "no clear agenda".
The new Community Safety Partnership initiative is being trialled in areas picked for their crime rates, levels of deprivation, and population densities.
The Partnerships will bring together residents, community representatives, business interests, councillors, local authorities and State services such as An Garda Síochána, Tusla and the HSE to devise and implement the Local Community Safety Plans.
The Plans will detail how best the community wants to prevent crime and will reflect community priorities and local safety issues. The goal is to make communities safer for families, residents and businesses.
