ON THE BEAT June'10

courtesy Eastern Courier and Howick Police

30-June-10

Recently I was involved in an operation where the police armed offenders squad was trying to locate a wanted offender in Pakuranga.

All the Howick community police officers were involved in this operation by assisting to ensure that Pakuranga Rd from the Ti Rakau Drive intersection was closed to all traffic and pedestrians.

This caused an inconvenience to a large number of people who wanted, for various reasons, to travel to Panmure. Also it became a problem for those people who lived in the immediate vicinity and wanted to get home.

It was disappointing to see the reaction from some of the people who were inconvenienced. A number of people got rather angry at the fact that police had closed the road, and abused police for not letting them through the cordon.

We only close roads to ensure the safety of the public and police. If you see the road is closed and police are on traffic duty and are overriding the phasing of the traffic lights, please be patient and comply with the directions given by the officers on duty.

Please do not stop and ask what is happening or how long we are going to be closing the road for, just keep the road clear and traffic flowing.

We will open the road when we are sure that it is safe to do so, or in the case of a traffic accident when the road is clear.

Be assured that when it is safe to do so we will have the road open as soon as we are able.

A huge thank you to those who were inconvenienced and waited patiently or found an alternative route to their destination.

Pat Hellier Howick Community Constable

25-June-10

Advertising pays, or does it?

A cicada sings during summer to attract a mate, but too much noise will attract a hungry sparrow. Obviously advertising has its place.

My name is constable Darrin Heaven. I have been appointed Meadowlands community constable. Stop and say hello if you see me when I’m out on the beat.

Advertising can be used to fight crime. A car or house alarm that is easily visible is a great deterrent. Neighbourhood Support signs show that there are eyes and ears in the street watching out for suspicious behaviour. Police patrols in marked cars remind those inclined to offend that they can be answerable for their actions.

But advertising can be a crime magnet. Advertising to the world that you’re away by leaving mail to accumulate in your mailbox, or showing an easy way into your home by leaving garage doors and windows open is an invitation to be burgled.

Leaving valuable items on display in your car is attractive for those after a quick dollar.

Ever been offered a cheap laptop, car stereo or GPS unit and wondered where they’ve come from? Someone buys stolen property which fuels demand.

Even if you’ve done everything right, you could still find yourself a victim of crime.

By reporting it to police we get a picture of offending that can reveal ‘‘hot spots’’ and key times that offences are occurring and resources can be allocated accordingly.

Talk to your neighbours – they might have seen something that can help police and might be keen on setting up a Neighbourhood Watch network.

If you belong to any sort of community based group and want to do something about reducing crime in your neighbourhood, please contact me or one of the other community constables serving east Auckland.

We can achieve safer communities together.

Constable Darrin Heaven Meadowlands Community Constable

16-June-10

I’m concerned that there are a number of underage drinkers who are alleged to be getting liquor from local outlets.

Police have done several operations in the area with low numbers of shop owners selling to underage people.

Police issue numerous liquor infringement notices for offences involving underage possession and consuming of alcohol in a public place. These offences carry an instant $200 fine. Needless to say, the alcohol is seized from the kids and destroyed.

So what is binge drinking and how often do teenagers do it?

Binge drinking is basically consuming a lot of alcohol in a short time – five or more standard drinks in one sitting.

In a study by the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand:
- More than a quarter of participants say they’ve had a binge drinking session in the past two weeks
- A third of young people say they drank five or more drinks last time they drank
- Nearly a fifth of all young drinkers say they drank nine or more drinks last time they drank
- How does binge drinking affect teenagers?
- Nearly half of teenage drinkers have vomited after drinking
- More than a third haven’t been able to remember a period of time
- More than a third have fallen over or hurt themselves
- Nearly a quarter have got into an argument or a fight
- One in six has got into trouble at home because of drinking
- One in eight has got into a sexual situation they weren’t happy with
- One in 11 has got into trouble with the law because of drinking.

If you have any information regarding outlets selling to minors then police want to hear from you.

Garry Boles Community Constable Botany

09-June-10

I am dealing with a number of young people for driving offences where alcohol was also involved.

As part of the youth justice process, the agencies involved try to get the young person to reflect on the consequences of their actions.

The following are the thoughts of a 16-year-old who drank liquor at a party, took his father’s car (without his father’s knowledge), filled it with his mates, and crashed.

‘‘I was involved in a serious car crash that was caused by drink driving.

‘‘I was thinking at the time it was only down the road, I will be fine, but of course it wasn’t.

‘‘Now I think what I did was very irresponsible and a very bad choice of action.

‘‘I am very lucky to not have hurt or even killed anyone.

‘‘From this day forward I have lost a lot of people’s trust and respect.

‘‘My actions that night have even hurt myself in a big way by losing trust in myself.

‘‘Also I have been stripped of all my privileges, freedom and hobbies.

‘‘I had to sell one of my most important things to me to pay for the damage I have caused.

‘‘I have wasted a lot of people’s time by drinking and driving and when I think about it now driving drunk is definitely not worth it and it will not happen again.

‘‘My future has been put back a lot from such a dumb mistake.’’

Paul Devane Youth Aid Officer Howick

02-June-10

I would like to enlighten readers about some commonly held misconceptions around family violence.

Myth: Violent abusers cannot control their violence.

Reality: Most people who abuse their partners can control their violence. For example, they control their violence towards others, such as friends or work colleagues. They are also able to control the violence towards their partner in the company of others. Abusers also control the way in which they abuse. For example, they may limit their assault to parts of the body that are usually covered by clothing. The violence is often premeditated, although it may seem to the victim that it happened out of the blue.

Myth: Victims share some of the blame for provoking violence.

Reality: Research shows that family violence is a pattern of behaviour by the abuser that is not explained by the victim’s actions. In fact, many victims try for years to change their own behaviour to prevent the abuser from being violent, but find that this makes no difference. Victims often blame themselves because they have been consistently told by the abuser that the violence is their fault.

Myth: Victims exaggerate the abuse they suffer.

Reality: Rarely do victims describe their experience as family violence, nor do they relate to labels such as victim or battered wife. They are more likely to deny or minimise the abuse and danger than to disclose or exaggerate it. The majority have suffered many incidents before reporting anything.

Myth: Victims choose violent partners or don’t know any better.

Reality: There is no evidence that victims repeatedly form relationships with violent partners. There is, however, evidence that victims remain with violent partners and return to them. There is also evidence that violent abusers are often violent to different partners.

Victims can seek help by phoning Victim Support on 0800 VICTIM (0800-842-846) or Women’s Refuge on 378-1893. Perpetrators can make change by contacting It’s Not OK on 0800-456-450 or Man Alive on 835-0509.

Sergeant Brett Woodmass, Family Violence Co-ordinator, Howick