The New Plymouth Community patrol police liaison officer Senior Constable Graeme Jones advises how to protect you and your property:-
“Reality is if you want to reduce the crime and prevent yourself from becoming a victim just take these simple steps:-
- lock things up when you are not using them including your car in the driveway
- put your vehicles in the garage if you have one available
- take valuables inside, do not leave valuables in plain sight – even placing them in the boot out of sight is a better option.
- take photos, record serial numbers and any distinguishing features
- make a list of your make, model and serial numbers of your valuable items remembering to keep it somewhere safe.
- Invisible DNA markers are a great invention for coding your valuables.
Our plan is to make the community part of the solution as opposed to the problem by being aware of situations around them and looking after yourself and your neighbours.
There is a misconception of what the community patrol does so freelance writer Sharyn Smart spent a “night shift” with New Plymouth volunteers Jonathan Weatherall (left) and Ray Shute (right).
Meeting at the police station at 10:15pm on a Saturday night was an experience in itself. Getting out of my car a drunk male offered me $20 to drive him to the other end of town. “I’m meant to be at the police station and I’m running late” seemed enough of a deterrent as he turned and stumbled away.
Every community patrol shift starts with a meeting. The community patrol police liaison officer Snr Constable Graeme Jones discusses the plan for the night. Only fully trained patrollers are allowed because of confidentiality so I patiently wait in the reception area of the recently opened New Plymouth police station.