ON THE BEAT November'09

courtesy Eastern Courier and Howick Police

25-Nov-09

Today police from around New Zealand will be wearing white ribbons to show their support of White Ribbon Day.

While on duty, officers will wear the white ribbon which is recognised by the United Nations as the international day for the elimination of violence towards women.

It was started by a men’s movement in Canada in 1991 and has been officially adopted by the UN as its international day for the elimination of violence against women.

The programme was introduced to New Zealand by the United Nations Development Fund for Women. In 2008 police recorded more than 73,000 family violence incidents and offences. That is around 200 family violence situations a day, one every seven minutes. It is estimated that only 18 percent of family violence incidents are reported.

Counties Manukau police attended about 12,000 of these with Counties Manukau East attending about 2500.

Eighty-four percent of people arrested for family violence are men. One in three women experience physical or sexual abuse from a partner in their lifetime according to a World Health Organisation study in Auckland and Waikato.

Women’s Refuge received about 50,000 crisis calls in 2007/2008 and provided services to more than 11,000 women and 7000 children.

Applications for protection orders in 2007 totalled 4500.

Each day the courts deal with about 21 prosecutions of assaults on women by men.

A key focus for the New Zealand police is to reduce violence within families and whanau, to hold offenders accountable for their behaviour, and to work with other agencies to keep victims and children safe.

By wearing the white ribbon police support the Families Commission and other various organisations to prevent violence and the distressing effects it has on individuals, family, whanau, iwi and all communities with New Zealand.

Sergeant Brett Woodmass, Domestic violence co-ordinator

20-Nov-09

Secondary schools are conducting end of year senior exams and there are a number of students out on the streets, between exams.

Parents should know where their children are during the day and ensure they are not getting into mischief.

A number of secondary schools in the area are finishing the school year in early December. This usually leads to an influx of youths congregating at the shopping centres and the eastern beaches.

There is a liquor ban in place at the beaches in the eastern area and all council-controlled carparks. Parents please remind your kids of this fact.

With summer and the schools winding down there are more parties. If parties in your area are too noisy then call Manukau City Council noise control on 262-5104.

If parties get out of control with fighting, bottle throwing, wilful damage, dangerous driving or the like, call the police on 111. Out-of-control parties can be prevented by good planning. Hosts should have a plan for when things look like they might get out of hand and a plan to deal with uninvited guests.

A good host would be mindful of protecting the neighbour’s peace and property. If this isn’t the case don’t be surprised if the neighbours call the police.

It is also timely to remind residents leading into the holiday season to ensure they have secured their property when they leave for work and to set the house alarm. One of the best forms of security for your property is your neighbours, so get to know who lives next door to you. If you would like to get a Neighbourhood Support group going for your street contact the Howick police station on 538-0300 and ask to speak to your community constable for further information.

Constable Pat Hellier, Howick Community Constable

11-Nov-09

At recent Neighbourhood Support meetings people have raised concern about suspicious people on their street.

An authorised person, such as a water meter reader, will always be dressed in a uniform and carry identification. If you are concerned about them entering your property ask to see their identification.

If you are still not satisfied contact your local water company to confirm meter readers are operating in your street.

Sales people frequent our area, walking from door to door. Recently, there have been reports of vacuum cleaner sales people operating in the Meadowlands area, forcing their way into people’s homes to demonstrate their product. If you are not interested in their product, let them know and close your door.

Sales people should not enter your house via your garage door or the rear of your property, nor should they block you from closing your door by placing their foot in the door frame.

If this happens, ask them to leave. If they refuse to leave they are trespassing and you should telephone police immediately.

Remember, any suspicious people or vehicles on your street should be reported to police immediately by dialling 111.

Often it is hard to determine if people or vehicles are suspicious. Do they belong on your street? The best way to determine this is by getting to know your neighbours and becoming familiar with their faces and vehicles.

Neighbourhood Support groups are a great way of meeting your neighbours. For more information about Neighbourhood Support visit www.nsupport.co.nz.

If you have concerns about suspicious people or vehicles on your street and would like further advice, please contact your local community constable via the Howick police station on 538-0300.

Constable Telesia Neilson, Meadowlands Community Constable

04-Nov-09

Police attend far too many firearms incidents in this area.

Often we find that many people are unaware of the law, particularly regarding imitation firearms and air guns.

Under the Arms Act 1983 an air gun is any weapon that uses gas or compressed air to fire a shot or projectile.

An imitation firearm is anything that has the appearance of a firearm. Examples of these are what some people call “BB” guns.

You must be 18 to legally possess an air gun, or be 16 or over and have a firearms licence.

Anyone who supplies an air gun to an unlicensed person can face three months imprisonment and/or a $1000 fine.

Even if you’re 18 you don’t have a general right to carry imitation guns or air guns with you or in your car out in public.

Anyone found with an air gun without a lawful, proper and sufficient purpose, may face four years imprisonment and/or a $5000 fine, or for an imitation firearm two years and/or $4000 fine.

If you fire an air gun anywhere, including your backyard, in a manner that endangers property or that might endanger, annoy or frighten any person, you may face three months imprisonment and/or a $3000 fine.

There are some harsh penalties for firearm offences and with good reason. Guns of any nature should be treated with the respect they deserve.

The consequences can be fatal. These sorts of guns are NOT toys.

So keep this in mind the next time you go to have “fun” with a paintball or air gun.

If your teenage child has one of these weapons I encourage you as a responsible parent, to make sure the weapon is stored, carried and used in a lawful and careful way.

Police will always treat reports of people with guns seriously.

If you require information on firearms visit your local police station and pick up an Arms Code.

Sergeant Keith Olsen, Howick Youth & Community Services

We would like to acknowledge support for this website from:
Key Service Ltd