This page is not a current Christchurch City Council document. Please read our disclaimer.
 |
| October 2000 |
|
Policing in the community
They have been on the frontline of crime and handled all sorts of troublemakers - now they are on a mission to nip crime in the bud. Two of the 175 community police officers in the country, Dave and Gerry have an office in the Council's new Fendalton Service Centre in Jeffreys Road. While their main tasks concern general police work, they put strong emphasis on advice and assistance on a wide range of issues which do not necessarily involve breaches of criminal law. Their job is to identify local problems and assist in solving them by consultation. "We provide advice on crime prevention and also establish links with communities," says Dave. Community constables are in demand as speakers to groups. One theme that runs through their talks is the need to increase the number of neighbourhood support groups. It is clear these groups have a bearing on the reduction of burglaries. Statistically New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world but more can be done. There is a one in 35 chance nationally of a house being burgled but these odds drop to one in 435 when good locks are put on doors and windows. Being a member of a neighbourhood support group also helps to shorten the odds against burglary. Dave says anyone burgled is more likely to be burgled again within the next three to four weeks. "The burglars will pay a return visit to help themselves to the new appliances provided by the insurance company," he says. |
