Set to stop crime before it happens
A newpolice initiative that focuses on predicting where crimes will take place is seeing good results.
The Preventative First Strategy was adopted across the country earlier this year.
Kapiti Mana Police area prevention manager Penny Gifford said instead of just being there after the crime took place, they were trying to prevent the crime from happening.
‘‘What we know is that largely you can predict crime. We have been putting officers where there is a strong likelihood it will happen. We don’t want anyone to be a victim,’’ she said.
‘‘ We are not quite Minority Report yet but we can certainly narrow down those hot spots.’’
Practically, that meant more police on the streets in high risks areas, and a better relationship with the community.
‘‘We can’t do it on our own. We can identify what the areas are but we need the community to join with us.’’
Under way in February, Gifford said the strategy had already seen a drop in burglaries in Porirua.
‘‘ The reality is Porirua is a really safe community, the perception just tells a different story.’’
Kapiti Mana Police area com- mander Inspector Paul Basham said having Gifford as the first person in the prevention manager role was a big win for the area.
‘‘We are very lucky to have an officer of Penny’s experience and calibre. Penny and the rest of the Kapiti Mana staff are passionate about making a difference particularly in the youth sector, because we believe better outcomes for youth are better outcomes for all,’’ he said.
Basham said the new role connected what was happening locally with the national strategy.
‘‘The area prevention manager’s role is significant. It reflects how important prevention first is.’’
Last year, Gifford was a Detective Sergeant in Wellington Central, but in her new role she is based in Waitangirua and covers the area from Tawa to Peka Peka. She has experience working in communities and family violence.