Community patrol proving successful
The Matamata Community Patrol had its first meeting over the weekend, with some of its members meeting one another for the first time outside the confines of the patrol car.
As the patrol works on a rostered shift, so eyes are always fresh, many members don’t always see one another in a social setting, or for new members to meet the collective team.
The patrol has been operating since April this year, being the eyes and ears of the local police.
Chair Brian Hunter says they are ‘fully into the swing of things’ with one group patrolling at a time operating on rostered shifts twice a week, from late evening into the early morning.
Hunter says their working relationship with the Matamata police is ‘very good’ and he is happy they are able to assist to reduce crime in the community.
Police have asked the patrol to assist them during the school holidays, starting this week until the end of next week, which means the hard working volunteers will be out and about day and night.
With 20 volunteers now on board, the patrol is working well but Hunter is always keen to hear from anyone who may want to get involved, either as a financial sponsor to fund the upkeep of the vehicle or as part of the patrol.
The Matamata PRA donated $10,000 and many sponsors have come on board to enable the fledgling patrol to get up and running and to cover the purchase of a vehicle. The vehicle has continued monthly costs of about $350 which need to be covered, this includes vehicle registration, insurance and petrol.