Botany Downs Crime Watch Patrol

See Community Patrols of New Zealand July 06 electronic newsletter

"Beefing up crime fighting", courtesy Eastern Courier, November 3, written by Heather McCracken

A volunteer patrol group in Botany Downs already cracks down on offending, but wants to beef up its efforts.
The Botany Crimewatch Patrol is on the streets weekdays, keeping an eye on problems like burglary, car theft and bag snatching.
The group says it is making a positive impact but needs more volunteers.
Chairman Dick Marshall says the group has put in more than 700 patrol hours since starting in April, and filed more than 120 reports.
A team of 45 volunteers patrol in two-hour shifts every weekday morning, afternoon and evening.
There are now plans to extend the coverage to include weekends, which will require more volunteers.
Botany Downs Community Constable Garry Larsen says the volunteers are collecting good information for police, and provide a visible deterrent.
Mr Larsen says last month a patrol noted information on a suspicious car, which was later involved in a bag snatch.
From that information offenders were identified and warrants issued for arrest.
Steve Walker and Bryan Jackson have both been volunteering for a few months, making them among the more senior patrollers.
Volunteers complete a full training programme.
Mr Jackson says they are taught to spot suspicious activity. He and most of his neighbours have been victims of burglary.
"This is an opportunity to do something about it," Mr Jackson says. "We're not replacing police. We're being their eyes and ears.
To get in touch with the crimewatch patrol, contact the Botany community constable, phone: 271-4930. 

"Crime-busters need a hand", courtesy Howick and Pakuranga Times, August 29, written by Martha McKenzie-Minifie

A new security patrol is coming to Botany’s streets and organisers are looking for volunteers to join.
The crime prevention group, set up through the Botany Community Constable office, is scheduled to have its first meeting next month.
Retired building contractor Frank Carter plans to join the patrol, which will be modelled on a similar group running in the Howick and Pakuranga area for several years.
“A lot of people in the community are interested in security of their properties,” said Mr Carter, a Bucklands Beach resident who volunteers at the Botany Community Constable office.
“We’ve had quite a good response with people joining Neighbourhood Support – and this is a little bit like that.”
Trained volunteers will be organised into rosters to patrol particular areas, acting as an extra pair of eyes and ears for the police.
“It’s another deterrent in relation to crime,” said Botany Community Constable Garry Larsen.
“We need as many people as we can. They will be roaming the carparks as well as assisting security patrols.”
Mr Carter believes the patrol will deter opportunist crimes.
The 70-year-old recently went for a run with Howick Pakuranga Volunteer Crimewatch Patrol.
“It was just having a cruise around the areas that could be suspect.”
For more information contact Botany Community Constable office on 271-4930.

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