A team of volunteers have been patrolling the streets of Mt Roskill to ensure safety in the community. The Mount Roskill Community Patrol is affiliated to Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ), which has more than 160 community patrols, involving around 6,000 volunteers nationwide. It also covers Sandringham, Three Kings, Balmoral, Lynfield and Hillsborough.
A growing number of active volunteers have been signing up for community patrolling to help the police make the community a safer place to live in. Any individual over 18 who shares concerns over the safety of the community can be a part of the group.
The applicants are examined by the police and trained within the patrol. Those selected abide by the code of conduct and sign a declaration of confidentiality. A police liaison officer is also allocated to work with the patrol.
“The goal of the patrol is to make sure the people and the businesses in the area are safer, and the offenders are aware that they are being watched,” Merril Bourne, secretary for Mt Roskill Community Patrol said.
Patrollers go out in pairs regularly, acting as the “eyes and ears” for the community and inform the police in case of any suspicious activity or an incident that requires urgent attention.
The police also notify the patrol of any trouble spots or any suspicious activities to keep an eye on, monitoring it on a regular basis. The patrol also operates during the day in shopping malls and supermarkets to reduce shoplifting.
It is hoped that a recent reduction in crime in the Mt Roskill area may be as a result of the supervision and regular scrutiny by the community patrol group.
“We write reports on activities in the areas we patrol, noting any suspicious behaviour or vehicles etc., which the police may find useful for their investigations”, Vai Ravindran, a Community Patrol member said.
Currently, the patrollers use their personal vehicles for patrolling, using CPNZ magnetic strips on their cars. Besides helping reduce crime, the group also aims to raise funds to purchase a patrol vehicle.
The patrol closely works with Roskill Together, a community initiative at various local events and has received immense support from Puketepapa Local Board and Auckland Council.
The patrol is based at the Mt Roskill Community Policing Centre on 1213 Dominion Road, Mt Roskill.