Community Patrol seeks helpers

FEILDING’S Community Patrol is seeking more volunteers as it actively maintains a successful surveillance operation in the town to help reduce crime and build a safer community.

Chairman Aubrey Ellen said numbers were down as members left because of age or ill health or were moving from the district.

“We would like to see some younger people come on board and build our numbers back up towards the 50 mark,” he said.

The patrol began in 1993 and currently has about 35 members.

Feilding patrollers act as the “eyes and ears” for police, completing a two-hour night shift once a month in a TRC Toyota-sponsored patrol car. They select their own circuit through the CBD, residential and industrial areas and neighbouring townships.

The volunteers work in pairs, note anything that could be suspicious and inform police immediately of incidents requiring urgent attention.

Mr Ellen said the patrol played a role during the recent police investigations into an arsonist lighting fires in the Central Business District.

“We were made aware that extra vigilance was needed,” said Mr Ellen, “so we drove around accordingly, sticking more to the town area than normal.”

He said members helped with foot patrols, looked for anyone walking around in darkened areas and noted any businesses that had left rubbish lying about their property which could be a target for an arsonist.

Sergeant Grant Lawton, Feilding police liaison officer, said the Community Patrol had carried out a lot of work in regard to the arson investigation and been instrumental in helping keep the area safe.

“In light of what was happening in the town, they kept a close eye on the situation, and would report on those addresses where rubbish was being left out at night.”

He said the police appreciated the ongoing assistance from the patrol and the public should be aware that such people were out there each night doing some “extraordinary work”.

“They are volunteers who have taken their own time to help us, so the more people they have available, the less number of times they need to go out.”

Mr Ellen said that in the past three months 90 incidents had been reported, involving vehicles (43), property (15), people (25), general disorder (1) and special services/assistance (6). The patrol car had covered 3703 kilometres.

Mr Ellen, involved with the patrol since 1997, enjoyed giving back to the community what it had given him over the years.

“Feilding is a neat town and we would like to see it kept safe for our kids and grandkids, so we do our little bit to help.”

But he would appreciate some other willing helpers! ,

* Anyone interested in joining Community Patrol is asked to ring (06) 323-4301 for further information.