Community patrollers are out in force now that lockdown rules have been relaxed. They started back once level 2 was in place doing daily patrols for three hours a day in Dannevirke with an extension on Fridays touring the Norsewood-Makotuku-Ormondville neighbourhood as well.
The daily patrol is fairly extensive, taking in the main shopping area, The Warehouse and New World, in particular, and circulating past the schools and parks. Keith Crosse, who was on duty with wife Pam on Tuesday, said patrollers are the eyes and ears for the police, and their bright regalia is purposely designed to attract attention and provide a sense of security for residents, especially the elderly.
Night patrols over the weekends started on Friday, June 5. Patrollers are enjoying the new vehicle – a Hyundai ix35, which has the extra capability that comes with 4WD and is especially useful for a rural-based community patrol.
It also provides better elevation for observational purposes and a more comfortable set-up for night patrollers, who always clock longer vehicle hours and regularly exceed the 100 kilometres of distance travelled in a single patrol duty. Keith says comparing it to its predecessor is like "chalk and cheese".
Of course, the Dannevirke Community Patrol was visible during lockdown too when members under 70 years volunteered to man the entrance to New World supermarket, carrying out a role which has continued through level 2.
