Patrols look to stamp out crime

Police are committed to working closely with the new community patrol group.

More than 30 people have signed up for a community patrol group aiming to deter crime in Kerikeri and the wider Bay of Islands.

Community patrols have long been active in Whangarei, Paihia, Kaikohe and Kaitaia, but have so far been absent from the Far North's most populous town.

Initiator Stan Vause said the turnout at a public meeting on August 11 far exceeded his expectations. Twenty-eight people attended and signed up on the spot; four more had added their names since then.

Before the meeting he had hoped for 20.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm in the area, but the most gratifying thing is the backup and support from the police, recognising that they're so thin on the ground," Mr Vause said.

The volunteers would now be vetted and a formal group, affiliated to Community Patrols of New Zealand, would be set up. A steering committee had been formed and held its first meeting on August 13.

Initially patrols would take place between 9pm and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. Later they would also be held during the day and at public events.

The volunteers would wear yellow high-vis jackets and photo ID on a lanyard. They would travel in pairs in a sign-written car and be in constant contact with police by radio and cellphone.

As well as Kerikeri and Waipapa, the area patrolled would cover Okaihau, Ohaeawai, SH10 as far north as the Matauri Bay turnoff, Haruru Falls, Paihia, Kawakawa and Moerewa.

There was no start date as yet.

Mr Vause said their job was not to intervene but to act as eyes and ears for the police. Experience in Kaitaia and Kaikohe had shown community patrols also had a strong deterrent effect.

Participants at the August 11 meeting said the recent spate of ram raids at a Waipapa sports store could have been prevented if the offenders knew a patrol could show up at any time.

Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan, of Kerikeri, said police were committed to working closely with the new community patrol group and were pleased with the response so far.

"It's great from a community perspective, but also in terms of support for the police," he said.

The start of community patrols follows the installation of CCTV cameras in Kerikeri earlier this year, an initiative of the Kerikeri Business Association with support from a local security company.

Anyone else who wishes to volunteer, even for just a few hours a month, can can contact Mr Vause on 021 230 6029 or kericp@outlook.com. Go to www.cpnz.org.nz for more information.