Neighbourhood Support

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In 1979 Neighbourhood Watch was introduced into New Zealand by the Police as a Crime Prevention initiative. It concentrated on the prevention of two type of crimes - household burglary and motor vehicle theft.

In June 1983 in the suburb of St Marys Bay, Auckland, a woman was viciously attacked in her own home by an intruder. Her screams for help fell on deaf ears in a crowded neighbourhood. Good neighbours had not interfered in what they considered was just a case of domestic violence. When the truth of this vicious attack became known, the community came together, not just concerned about dishonesty offences, but increasing violence including domestic violence.

Well attended meetings resulted in the establishment of a Neighbourhood Support scheme. Over forty street coordinators were appointed. Each street worked out methods of protection which varied from street to street, but their level of support for each other was developed beyond the initial purpose of property protection. They obtained commercial sponsorship and were able to challenge the depth of the Police initiated Watch Group.

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The inaugural meeting of Pakuranga Bucklands Beach Neighbourhood Support was held on 9th March 1987.

The area (Pakuranga, Bucklands Beach, Burswood, Highland Park, and Murvale)has been split up into 11 areas with the intent of having an Area Coordinator in each. These area coordinators attend a monthly meeting, and involved in setting up new groups within the area.

If you are not in a group at present. Check to see whether you reside in the Pakuranga Bucklands Beach Neighbourhood Support area or Howick Neighbourhood Support area.

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Neighbourhood Support in the area is a totally voluntary organisation run by neighbours.

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BENEFITS OF BEING WITHIN A NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT GROUP

Neighbourhood Support consists of the formation of voluntary groups, within a network linked to the Police. The community involvement in being part of a group raises the level of crime prevention awareness in your street and reduces the opportunities for crime to be committed in your neighbourhood.

Groups receive Neighbourhood Support street signs and stickers, and information regarding details on any local criminal activity. Receiving crime prevention advice on personal and property protection, and developing a working relationship with the local Community Constable, is an integral part of Neighbourhood Support activities.

The effectiveness of working together as a group in safeguarding people and property may be demonstrated when a neighbour is in need. In a street where Neighbourhood Support operates, a group member confronted with an emergency situation has the reassurance that neighbours will respond promptly within a safety plan previously agreed by the group.

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Together, decide how big you want your network to be (12-15 homes is an ideal size but it can depend on the layout of your street).

weekdays between 9:00am and 3:00pm and they will take your name, address and phone number and they will get your Area Coordinator to contact you, otherwise you could EMAIL and we will get back to you or as an alternative Click here and complete details to commence process to join Neighbourhood Support which can be emailed by completing the document then clicking onto the send button.

The Area coordinator will discuss with you a suitable meeting time as once agreed they will arrange for the Community Constable to attend the meeting as well.

Should you invite everyone in your neighbourhood to join your group? Start with the people you know. What if your neighbours include some people you don't trust? There's no need to invite them to join your group.

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Share Information, telephone numbers, when and where you work, holidays, times when people may need extra support, neighbours with special needs (e.g. the disabled, the elderly, etc), what skills you can share (nurse, plumber, emergency babysitter).

Discuss in advance what you will do to help, so you won't hesitate to act, or feel embarrassed to contact each other.

Plan and practise which signals you will use (whistles, fog horns, flick lights on and off, turn up stereo/TV loudly and suddenly, break windows, shout code name, yell don't scream). remember to respond to anything unusual ant time of day or night. Always call the Police.

Street coordinators volunteer to pass around information - good news and bad - and to welcome new beighbours into the group.

Neighbourhood Support Groups can form the basis for Civil Defence networks. In an emergency, check each other safety and share resources. be neighbourly!

The key words are 'community' and 'support'. Everybody gives something - whether knowledge or skill or time. Any everybody receives something: support from their neighbours, and peace of mind.

These groups don't succeed if a few people do all the work. And when everybody does their bit, the quality of life in your neighbourhood improves.

To find out further details and complete details and we will contact you.

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Watch their home. Question strangers, but don't say the neighbours are away.

When you go away then the neighbour can then respond by returning the favour.

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An area Co-ordinator is normally in charge of a whole neighbourhood consisting of a number of streets. Eash street has a street co-ordinator or several, depending on the length of the street. Normally the ratio is one co-ordinator to 12-15 homes. However, this is left up to the particular groups to decide upon.

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