ON THE BEAT March'10

courtesy Eastern Courier and Howick Police

24-Mar-10

Recently I was invited to be a guest speaker at a meeting organised
by St John in conjunction with local medical clinics.

The initiative is run nationwide and is called Sunflower Month –
supporting senior independence around New Zealand.

Sunflower Month involves doctors around the country inviting
their elderly patients to a Living at Home Safely meeting where they
and St John share valuable information on ways the elderly can
continue to live at home safely and independently.

This year 127 clinics are involved with each meeting having about
100 people in attendance. Various speakers from different
agencies were invited to speak and promote the theme.

I spoke about the benefits of Neighbourhood Support groups and
why they should be involved in one. Neighbourhood Support works
closely with police to encourage and enable people to be aware,
prepared and vigilant on behalf of those in the community who may
need help.

There are a number of objectives that Neighbourhood Support
promotes such as:
- Encouraging neighbours to meet and talk to each other
- Sharing information that will help reduce the risk and fear of crime
- Helping foster a sense of community spirit
- Educating and empowering neighbours to take responsibility for
their own safety
- Identifying the needs of neighbours and ways to assist each other
- Deciding on ways to handle civil emergencies
- Knowing when and how to contact police, other emergency
services or support agencies.

If you would like to get a group going in your street call the
Howick police station on 538-0300 and ask to speak to the
community constable.

Constable Pat Hellier Howick Community Constable

17-Mar-10

While walking along the street one morning I noticed several letterboxes that were so full of mail that items were falling out onto the ground.

I made the assumption that the residents or occupiers of these addresses were not home, possibly on holiday or oversees.

Burglars also walk along the street looking for precisely this indicator. It’s like a beacon that this might be a good house to break into.

Burglars like breaking into houses where there is no one home. There’s less chance of getting caught and more time to look around the house choosing items of interest to steal.

I wondered why the neighbouring residents were not clearing these over-flowing letterboxes. I wondered if it was because the residents didn’t know that their neighbours were away. I wondered if that was because they didn’t even know who their neighbours were.

Maybe they didn’t care either way. I wondered if a community where people didn’t care about their neighbours was a good one to be in.

If you don’t know your neighbours I encourage you remedy that situation now. You can assist each other in looking out for each other’s property and clearing the letterbox.

It doesn’t take much to empty a letterbox once a day, and you never know, that simple action may prevent a burglary in your street.

While you’re emptying the letterbox it would pay to keep you eyes peeled for people wearing high visibility workman’s vests.

Burglars will wear these fluoro vests to fool you into thinking that they are legitimate workman, when in fact they are looking for an opportunity to steal.

If you see someone who you are in any way suspicious about call 111 immediately – don’t hesitate.

Give us the information and we will provide the appropriate response.

10-Mar-10

I have recently started a new position as a youth aid officer.

While I am sad to leave my role as the Meadowlands community constable, I am happy to embark on this new challenge.

Already, I am receiving files regarding youth offending. A common factor in some of these files is truancy, in fact, it is a New Zealand wide phenomena that youths who get into trouble are often truant.

As a community constable I would often find young people on the streets, and return them to school.

If your child is not at school, where are they? What are they doing?

Most likely, they are going to get into trouble.

Not only are they missing out on an education that will lead to future employment, they are having to find other activities to occupy their time.

This can lead to alcohol issues, anti social behaviour or crime, such as theft and graffiti.

Parents, I know you lead busy lives but you must ensure your child is going to school each day. Ensure the school has your daytime contact details, so they can call you if your child is not at school. If you are concerned your child may be truant, ring the school to check.

If your child is refusing to attend school find out why. Legally, they must attend school until they are 16.

Caring members of the community can also contribute to reducing truancy.

If you notice school age children hanging out in a particular area during school hours, tell someone. If they are dressed in school uniform, contact that particular school. If they are not in uniform, call your local community constable, especially if this is an ongoing problem.

Community constables can be contacted via the Howick police station on 538-0300.

Constable Telesia Neilson, Youth Aid.

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