NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

The Autumn 2010 edition can be found on the documents page. Just scroll down until you come to the Neighbourhood Watch section.

Sunshine Coast Crime Bulletin

Volume 1 for 2010 is in the same section on the same page.

Neighbourhood Watch is a programme organised by the community in order to reduce residential crime. It is about working together as a community to improve our personal safety and household security. Most importantly, it is about encouraging interaction and a sense of responsibility between neighbours and communities.

Householders are encouraged to join together in small informal groups for the purpose of improving the safety of their families and other neighbourhood residents. It is not a police scheme. Police only lend their expertise to enable residents to organise themselves for the purpose of minimising crime in their community. Neighbourhood Watch will only work if the community supports the scheme.

By being a participant in the programme, you can establish a greater sense of neighbourly co-operation and responsibility. By working together, neighbours can assist each other to reduce crime in their area. Benefits to be derived from the programme are:

A safer place to live
Reduced fear of crime in your area
Improved lifestyle by sharing responsibilities and caring for others

Adult Stranger Danger
Unfortunately we live in an age where there are a few 'con-artists' or fraudsters around, eager to separate you from your money or household possessions.

Yes, even in Noosa Waters, there are persons with criminal intent on their mind. So, it is imperative that all of us take a few commonsense precautions such as:

Open your door only to people you know and trust.
Use your peephole, door chain, window or security system to see who is at the door before opening it.
Check the credentials of charity workers and don't let them into your home.
Always check the credentials of service repair people and sales people.
Talk to these people through your locked security door if you are unsure about a person's motives, ask for the name of their company or organisation and their identification card. Telephone the company or organisation using your telephone book, rather than the number you are given, to check on the visitor's credentials.
If a stranger or caller asks to use your telephone, bring your phone to the door and let them make the call while you keep them outside.
If a stranger calls asking for your help because of an emergency and you feel confident to go with them, always secure your home (dead-lock external doors and windows and set alarm) before leaving.

Scam Warning
Police are warning residents about a scam where a man attempts to illegally elicit funds for Neighbourhood Watch over the phone.

A number of local small business operators and residents have reported to police that a man has called them seeking large donations to help advertise Neighbourhood Watch. The first few complaints from individuals and businesses stated that there were no specific dollar amounts mentioned however as time has passed the caller is now requesting specific amounts. These amounts decrease if the person called states that the initial amount requested is too much.

When the caller is questioned as to their legitimacy the caller becomes aggressive and abusive prior to hanging up.

It is against Neighbourhood Watch policy to solicit funding or conduct cold canvassing over the phone to raise funds.

Neighbourhood Watch has strict guidelines on fundraising practices which include the applying for grants and any supporter funding being documented through minutes of meetings and outcomes reported to local police. Members of the public are advised to be vigilant and not to make any donations over the phone to callers claiming to represent Neighbourhood Watch.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day. Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

Police Checks
Some residents of Noosa Waters have offered to deliver our Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) newsletter (and we very much appreciate this), but they don't wish to become block coordinators because it necessitates local police checks. NHW, like many other organisations which involves volunteers (eg safety houses) need to have total verifiable confidence in all the people involved in helping out.

Unfortunately, involvement in NHW as a coordinator has full status - we don't have half-coordinators.

This verifiable confidence of our coordinators has two advantages:

They are covered by the NHW state insurance so that if a rottweiler chews their ankle or the uneven footpath causes an injury , they are covered.
The residents of Noosa Waters can be assured the coordinators are to be trusted, even if it just means delivering the newsletters.

We hope you understand the importance of this.

Luminous House Numbers
How visible is your house number? Could 000, your trusted emergency services, find your house easily when needed? Every second counts in an emergency.

The solution is simple: Install a solar powered house number. A real solution to a real problem. Install and enjoy peace of mind as it works for you day and night.

Contact Tony Mitchelhill if you want to help or if you want to know more.