ON THE BEAT October'09

courtesy Eastern Courier and Howick Police

28-Oct-09

Despite yearly reminders about the dangers of fire works, November the 5 turns into a night to forget for many people due unsafe or stupid actions.

It is seen by some as an excuse for damaging property and behaving in a disorderly manner.

In the last couple of years we have seen a reduction in these instances which is attributed to education and law changes.

These laws included restricting the sales period of fireworks to four days and increasing the purchase age from 14 to 18. However, any injuries are too many where fireworks are concerned.

There will be several public displays in the Auckland area around November 5, so, if you can, it would be advisable to leave it to the professionals and take the family for a night out.

For those of you who want to wow the family with your fireworks at home, remember these tips:
- Light all fireworks at arm's length
- Stand well back
- Never go back to a lit firework
- Never throw fireworks at people, buildings or cars
- Keep pets indoors
- Always supervise children
- Be considerate of your neighbours
- Keep an extinguisher or bucket of water handy
- Alcohol and lighting fireworks do not mix.

Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed, but you'll enjoy them much more knowing your family is safe.

For some areas, Guy Fawkes coincides with the inorganic collection. These piles can appeal to some imbeciles who like to create bonfires of their own.

It may pay to either put your rubbish out first thing on collection day or douse what is there with water before bed. Prevention is the key here.

November the 5 can be a busy night for many streets so it is important that any suspicious activity is reported to police and any opportunities to commit crime are reduced.

Keep safe and have an enjoyable Guy Fawkes.

Constable Paul Bimler, Pakuranga Community Constable

21-Oct-09

The last term of the school year has begun. The weather is getting warmer, the days longer, and for senior students, school and exams will soon be over.

What some people refer to as “the silly season” is approaching.

A festival that some New Zealanders appear to have adopted from the United States is that of Halloween.

This year is the added attraction that it falls on a Saturday, so I presume kids of all ages will be keen to get dressed up in scary costumes.

The ritual of going door-to-door trick or treating is seen by some families as part of Halloween.

If so it should be a fun time without trouble and pain so following some easy tips can keep your child safe:

- Children should go out during daylight hours only
- Make sure an adult is going with them
- Stop only at familiar houses in your neighbourhood
- Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure that they know to stay in populated places and don’t go off the beaten track
- Don’t let children ride bikes, skateboards or inline skates
- Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but children need to know it is making a mess and damage is vandalism. If that occurs make them accountable for the mess – clean it up.

Let your child have some say in their costumes, within reason of course.

There should be no need for toy knives, guns or swords.

Britney and Christina may be your six-year-old daughter’s favourite singers but don’t send them out dressed like them.

It’s never too early to teach them some responsibility and common sense.

Constable Paul Devane, Youth Aid Officer Howick

14-Oct-09

By now you will have seen the shopping centres gearing up for Christmas.

The decorations and brochures are starting to come out and the rush seems to start earlier each year.

I was surprised to see a local shop already set up.

Well the police are no different. We are also gearing up for the Christmas period.

However for us it is to enforce the message of Don't Drink and Drive.

All too often at this time of year drivers make the same mistake of thinking they are okay to drive, however results from carrying out the drink-drive checkpoints show that drivers do not know when to say no - either to stop drinking or to getting another form of transport and not driving.

If you are in doubt call a friend, family, taxi or a dial a driver.

The cost of this is small when compared with a court fine and loss of licence for a minimum of six months and a criminal conviction.

School holidays are over again and the children are returning to school.

Remember to drive at an appropriate speed around schools.

Police have no tolerance for drivers exceeding speed limits past schools. So please slow down.

Police will be carrying out speed enforcement in the school zones during the term.

On a general road safety message if you see a driver that you think is having trouble driving, unable to stay in their lane, erratic speed and poses a threat to other road users please call us.

One concerned driver called to report an erratic driver and when stopped by police this person was very drunk. At 11am in the morning the driver was more than four times the legal limit.

Thank you to the driver concerned for giving us a call.

Sergeant Lyon Dunn, Strategic traffic unit

07-Oct-09

Neighbourhood Support is a community-owned programme that aims to make our homes, streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer and more caring places in which to live.

Neighbourhood Support works closely with the police and many other organisations to reduce crime and to prepare people to deal with emergencies and natural disasters in their community.

Information about local crime, appropriate crime prevention and safety advice is provided to neighbours through participation in a Neighbourhood Support Group.

Members usually exchange phone numbers and meet occasionally over an issue or simply to stay in touch.

Neighbourhood Support Groups:

Neighbourhood Support groups are on the decline and burglaries are on the increase so it makes sense that you do something to stop criminals from taking your property.

Police in this area are on a campaign to get new and old Neighbourhood Support groups up and running again.

If you are interested in joining a Neighbourhood Support Group or reviving your old group contact the Howick police station on 538-0300 and ask for any of the local community constables for your area.

Keep safe

Constable Merv Hotter, Highland Park Community Constable

02-Oct-09

There’s no denying the police are busy. But unfortunately there are times when we should be called but are not.

I have heard of occasions when people see a crime in progress but don’t know whether to call the police or not.

There is an easy rule of thumb to remember. If you see a crime being committed, for example, a strange person climbing into your neighbour’s house, or interfering with a car, then the course of action is clear.

Dial 111, ask for police, then give details of the scene of the incident, a description of the suspicious person, and contact details for yourself.

If you call us to report a burglary in progress or a similar event, we will respond immediately.

We place a high priority on crimes that are happening presently as we have a good chance of catching an offender.

The situation is a little different for historic events.

If, for example, your car has been broken into at some time during the night, with nobody seen or heard, then that should still be reported to police.

You have a choice of either going to a police station in person, or calling our crime reporting line on 261-1300. They can take your report over the telephone.

If you see a crime happening but you don’t call us straight away on the most direct line, i.e. 111, we will not be able to provide the prompt response we would like.

This information, along with a whole lot more, is covered when you set up a Neighbourhood Support group.

If there is no group in your street contact the nearest community constable to arrange to set one up.

Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

The more you can help us to help you the better for everyone.

Sergeant Keith Olsen, Howick Youth and Community Services

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