Dave Henson thanked us for the opportunity and generous donation for vehicle replacement which will be put aside to us when needed. The patrol group makes communities a safer place and become involved with crowd control with the recent Muslim attacks.
A bit of history was when they changed from being as the Night Owls and using their own cars, which was not ideal.
Community patrols were then formed New Zealand wide and now there are 150 patrol groups with 5,000 volunteers with eyes and ears for police. These patrols have to be police vetted and have to abide by the law. They do not carry anything, but can, under Police request, carry out roadblocks but cannot be Police.
They patrol every day 11am-3pm and night at 10 pm for 3 hours but only go out in pairs as they cannot leave the car unless specifically asked to by police. They all have patrol areas which are locked into computers in Auckland. Their job is to observe and report. 2 cars were given by Trust power last year which have police radio installed so Police hear what is happening in BOP.
Community Patrollers have disaster stuff in the vehicle and strong light for nighttime surveillance. Vehicles are heavily sign written and they will now add Rotary now too. Local bus company contributes on a yearly basis for all cost of fuel. Each year they visit their sponsors to ask for continued support as they could not perform patrols without funding. There are 35 members of all ages 26-80, with 12 females involved. They wear a t-shirt when on duty and yellow viz jackets. They are not a security agency but can patrol round carparks but not stand there! Training takes 3 months and consists of a lot of health and safety training, followed by probation accompanied by another member. There is a Committee of 7 members. The car is parked in the police compound.
They patrol every day 11am-3pm and night at 10 pm for 3 hours but only go out in pairs as they cannot leave the car unless specifically asked to by police. They all have patrol areas which are locked into computers in Auckland. Their job is to observe and report. 2 cars were given by Trust power last year which have police radio installed so Police hear what is happening in BOP.
Community Patrollers have disaster stuff in the vehicle and strong light for nighttime surveillance. Vehicles are heavily sign written and they will now add Rotary now too. Local bus company contributes on a yearly basis for all cost of fuel. Each year they visit their sponsors to ask for continued support as they could not perform patrols without funding. There are 35 members of all ages 26-80, with 12 females involved. They wear a t-shirt when on duty and yellow viz jackets. They are not a security agency but can patrol round carparks but not stand there! Training takes 3 months and consists of a lot of health and safety training, followed by probation accompanied by another member. There is a Committee of 7 members. The car is parked in the police compound.
They report to the head office so that the authorities know all the incidences.
Between 1 January to 31 December there were 136 vehicle-related instances with lots of other instances included too. – A total of 11200 k – 1331 patrol hours.
Dave has stepped down as chair asked by CPNZ Board to be the support over the southern area from Turangi to here and to liaise and sort out problems. He is still the local treasurer as is a well-oiled machine and has a great rapport with police. Lorraine takes scones in when on duty and in only a short time, they are now expected. Dave has been in the group for over 8 years, finding it a worthwhile and satisfying group to belong to and thanked Rotary Club of Whakatane for the invitation to speak at our weekly meeting.