“We are the extra ‘eyes and ears’ for the local police,” Ludlam said.
The patrol has a dedicated vehicle that sports a standard community patrol vehicle livery and is easily picked out among local traffic.
The focus is on patrolling the Hastings central, urban and rural areas in an effort to assist police and reporting any suspicious activities to them that require urgent action.
“Recently we have been patrolling the cyclone-stricken area of Pakowhai checking up on the locals and providing some security for their properties and trying to minimise the visits of those trying to take advantage of the terrible situation.
“We are available for various taskings by the police, although we are never put into a situation that could be harmful to us. Our health and safety is of the utmost importance to us and to the police,” Ludlam said.
For example, HACP can help with traffic management during a serious road accident and the vehicle is fully equipped for any local emergency and has had many successes over the years in helping police to apprehend local offenders.
All volunteers are fully vetted by the police before formally joining the group and there are a number of training modules that new members are guided through to reach a high standard of patrolling.
Ludlam said, “the community police officers are involved in our training and we are fully trained to police and Community Patrols New Zealand standards”.
On Sunday, September 10, Ludlam and other patrol members held the first of a number of recruitment events planned for the coming months at various locations.
The first event was at Hastings Mitre 10. While the group got some interest, Ludlam said he had “anticipated a better response from the local community”.
“We would like anyone in the community, male or female over the age of 18 to come and talk to us whenever they see the patrol car or at any recruiting events,” Ludlam said.
