Patrols eyed to fight crime

Community Patrol New Zealand (CPNZ) trust board chairman Chris Lawton recently visited the Far North to speak to communities in Kaikohe, Paihia, Kaitaia, Doubtless Bay and Kawakawa about the organisation.

Lawton said communities nationwide were feeling the impacts of increased violent crimes, and CPNZ was a great way of deterring some of that behaviour.

“We’ve had an excellence response from the different communities, so I’ll be interested to see where this goes,” Lawton said.

“Just in Doubtless Bay, we’ve had about 40 people show an interest in getting involved.

“We’re also looking at starting up a patrol in Kaitaia, as well as in Kaikohe and Paihia early next year.

“In addition, we’re hoping to reinvigorate our Kawakawa patrol, and our Kerikeri patrol has been ticking along quite nicely.”