Helping each other vital

SAFER Community Trustees (from left) Hazel Barnes, Richard Hurrell and Hayley Willers and Community Safety Officer Evan Davidson are keen to see neighbourhood Support networks strengthened. TC300908DT01

In a drive to help reduce crime and keep our communities safer it is believed being part of a Neighbourhood Support Group is the answer.

Neighbourhood Support consists of voluntary groups within a network, both urban and rural, linked to police. In Te Awamutu and Kihikihi areas this is now coordinated through the Te Awamutu Safer Community Charitable Trust. The Trust is looking to strengthen the Neighbourhood Support network — a move which has the full support of police.

Te Awamutu Senior Sergeant Dave Simes says Neighbourhood Support is a nationwide initiative with proven success. He says Police align themselves with Neighbourhood Support because it adds real value to community safety and crime prevention. He believes the community should avail themselves of the opportunity being offered by the Safer Community Trust to be part of this successful programme.

Modern technology, computers and emails etc, allow for better communication between all concerned groups and the support service providers Neighbourhood Support coordinators will help link neighbours to one another. Safety, security and forming friendships are part of what Neighbourhood Support Groups is about. Awareness of what is happening in your particular area is a step towards crime prevention. It is about creating a community that supports one another, reducing crime and keeping ourselves safe. This is a positive side of getting to know your neighbours.

Recently a Public meeting was held at the Pekerau Primary School, called by local resident Georgina Rewha. There is big concern about the regular petty crime, property and street damage that was being caused in the area and about the School. Ms Rewha reported a good turn out from local residents and staff from Pekerau School. It was unanimous by those in attendance that Neighbourhood Support Groups needed to be formed in the area. Information is subsequently being collected and collated to assist with the setting up of the Support Groups and this information will enable neighbours to communicate closer with each other (via phone/mobile/email) and ultimately ensure that everyone knows what is happening in and around the areas that they reside in.

‘‘We all have an active role to play, and so we need to get to know who our neighbours actually are, and what can been done together-to ensure that our homes/neighbourhood/community is a safe and happy place to be. Keeping an eye out and an ear to the ground is definitely a good start. We’re all in this together’’ says Ms Rewha.

The Te Awamutu Safer Community Charitable Trust, Te Awamutu Police, Waipa District Council, and the Fire Service hope neighbours throughout the Waipa District will rally together and set up their own groups. Representatives from these services are available to discuss their roles and the help available to the support groups.

We are continually updating records for ‘new’ and ‘existing’ groups and would like to hear from anyone wishing to set up a group in their neighbourhood. For more information contact Senior Constable Richard Hurrell at Te Awamutu Police (ph 872 0100) or Community Safety Officer Evan Davidson, C/- Te Awamutu Safer Community Charitable Trust, 18 Lyon Street, Kihikihi (ph 870 6160).