New community patrol for Massey area
Massey community members are being asked to become ‘‘extra eyes and ears’’ on the ground in a new drive to establish a community patrol.
From July 11 to 15, the patrol was out in full force with a mobile police unit to attract volunteers.
It is the first community patrol for the Massey area.
‘‘Being a new and developing area, now it’s mushrooming and the demand is there,’’ says community patroller Des Rankin.
The scottish-born Massey resident of 22 years says he’s had letterboxes pinched from his semi-rural property.
‘‘I truly believe in the New York broken window principle, you know, fix your broken windows and crime will drop.
‘‘It’s the same here - stop your petty criminals and hopefully it will improve.’’
Rankin, who joined the patrol five months ago, says patrollers are not at risk as the patrol is for observation and deterrent only.
Run under Community Patrols NZ, the patrol has 20 members since starting in February.
It covers Massey, Westgate, West Harbour, Hobsonville, Hobsonville Point, and Bethell’s Beach regions.
Training involves a two-hour induction, and around five ‘‘ride alongs’’ with another community patroller for observation.
Massey community patrol coordinator Maree Manning says being a good patroller is about trusting your gut feeling and life experience.
‘‘If you’re out shopping and you see something that looks dodgy, nine times out of 10, it probably is,’’ she says.
Volunteer patrollers need to agree to be vetted by police, have a clean driver’s license, and be available for at least one fourhour shift per month.
Patrols are flexible in that they are able to operate 24/7.
The Massey patrol area is so large the patrol is now fundraising for two patrol cars, including one that’s four-wheel drive.
In the meantime, patrollers use their own cars with magnetic signage.
‘‘It’s about everybody taking care of [their] own street,’’ Manning says.
‘‘If you take care of where you live, the rest of it just flows.’’
Contact Maree Manning at mmcg80@police.govt.nz for more.
See givealittle.co.nz/org/ masseycpnz to donate.