ON THE BEAT April'10

courtesy Eastern Courier and Howick Police

28-April-10

Lately we have heard a lot about the necessity to avoid alcohol and drugs if driving.

Something that has received less media attention is the importance of not driving if medically unfit.

It is a weighty responsibility to take steps to determine whether someone is fit to drive because of a medical condition.

But the alternative - to allow them to continue to drive when they put their own and others' lives at risk - is not an option.

The role of police is to make roads safer for general use and to assist the New Zealand driver licensing system to make suredrivers are fit and competent to drive.

To do this we need the help of the public to minimise the number of people who lose their lives or are injured in car crashes.

In New Zealand, between 2003 and 2007, medical related factors were cited as a contributing factor in crashes that killed 82 people, seriously injured another 459 people and caused minor injuries for another 1692.

These figures are likely to underestimate the contribution of medical factors to crashes.

That's because it can be difficult for the police to determine when a driver has a medical condition, and if this contributed to a crash.

What to do if in doubt:
- If you or a family member has a medical condition that puts yourself or others at risk, it is important not to drive until you have consulted a medical professional who states it is safe for you to do so.
- The New Zealand Transport Agency can be contacted if necessary in cases where there is doubt about a person's fitness to drive. NZTA has the ability to issue a notice requiring a driver to see a medical professional if they refuse to do so. Until this has happened the person will not be allowed to drive legally.
- In urgent cases police can be contacted. Police have the ability to forbid a person from driving because of their physical or mental state.

NZTA can be contacted on 0800-822-422 in regards to any driver licensing issues or driving issues relating to medical conditions.

Sergeant Lyon Dunn, Strategic traffic unit

21-April-10

Since becoming the Highland Park Community Constable, I’ve been astounded at the number of people who’ve come up to me to inform me of an incident that happened up to two weeks ago. Why?

As the old saying goes there is no point shutting the door once the horse has bolted.

I’m not saying don’t report it but the police need to be made aware of these problems as soon as they happen to give us a better opportunity to catch those responsible.

It is very frustrating for me that a member of this community has been confronted by an offender or witnessed an incident but does not call it in straight away or sometimes not at all.

I have been a community constable since February 2008 and I have people coming to me who have witnessed or been involved in incidents such as wilful damage, street racing, threatening behaviour, drinking on beaches, suspicious people and the list goes on.

Many ask me should I have reported it?

The police have an emergency phone line. The number is 111.

On many occasions the community seems afraid to become involved but if we are going to make progress then it is prompt reporting of incidents and community support that will see the crime rate decrease and our "problem people" think twice.

The police can not successfully do their job without the support from the public. It is your eyes and ears that help us apprehend the perpetrators.

It does not matter how trivial it may seem to you but by dialling 111 it allows the police to determine whether it is an emergency or not.

If you feel inclined to tell me what has happened up to two weeks after the incident then you must feel it to be of some importance.

Don’t be afraid to stand up. With a little help from the public we can all go a long way to making our community a safer place.

The Howick police station has revised opening hours of Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

KEEP SAFE

Merv Hotter Community Constable Highland Park

16-April-10

Police and victim advocate agencies use various tools to assess risk in domestic violence matters.

One of these police tools is known as the Twelve Red Flags. These markers can assist with identifying the risk of very serious harm or death to the victim and their families.

The flags have been identified after reviewing homicide and grievous assault cases.

The more red flags the greater the risk.
- The offender is obsessed with, dependent on, or is stalking the victim
- Recent separation, issue of a court order, or divorce AND is responding in a dangerous manner
- The victim believes the offender could injure or kill them
- The offender has strangled or attempted to strangle the victim
- There is a history of family violence and it is getting more severe or frequent
- The offender has threatened/attempted to commit suicide, or to kill the victim or other family members
- The offender owns or has access to weapons, particularly firearms and has used, or threatened to use them
- The offender has easy access to the victim or their family
- Children are in the home when the violence occurred or have been hurt or threatened in family violence situations
- Incidents of animal abuse by the offender - The offender has a history of alcohol or drug problems

The offender has a history of violent behaviour against non-family members. If you have answered yes to nine or more of the 'red flags' you could be at risk, seek advice and help immediately.

If your score is lower contact any of the following support agencies for advice.

It IS OK to ask for help. It is NOT OK to be ABUSED.

Victim Support 0800 VICTIM (842 846) or Women's Refuge 378-1893.

Sergeant Brett Woodmass Domestic violence co-ordinator Phone 538-0300

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