South Canterbury Neighbourhood Support

South Canterbury Neighbourhood Support Keeping rural neighbours safe and happy

Like many fellow farm and rural dwellers in New Zealand I am aware of the upset, frustration and vulnerability felt if you ever become a victim of rural crime or experience an emergency situation. We can be affected by crime, wild weather, wildfires, floods, slips, snowfall, and natural disasters at any time with no, or little warning. Recently our Twizel community experienced a large wildfire which has taken amazing efforts from Fire and Emergency Service staff and volunteers to get under control and continue to assess and monitor. We are working with our Police colleagues and landowners in the rural Albury area of the Mackenzie District to deter poachers and we are alerting local members across our area to a spate of motorbike and trailer thefts. Rurally we often live apart from others and not within easy reach of neighbours or friends for help or support at times of crisis or emergency and it can be harder to make connections and contacts that we might need from time to time. It can be harder to catch up and communicate with neighbours regularly. Today rural crime can cover a multitude of offences ranging from livestock theft or harm to fly-tipping, theft to poaching and it can mean financial loss, damage, loss of property or animals and pets and a feeling of vulnerability or isolation for those targeted. In some cases, rural lifestyle owners and farmers have become an easier target for the criminals as our urban friends have become more security conscious. It is also less likely thieves will be seen or reported in rural areas and sometimes country people may not be as mindful or aware of how these issues could affect them as much as their town and city counterparts. Sadly, rural crime will not go away. Criminals can find ways round our security measures, so we need to be checking and improving our security to keep one step ahead. Police can and will respond to rural crime but keep in mind they may need to travel a longer distance to get to you. Call 111 when you need immediate help with a life-threatening or time-critical emergency. Some emergencies will need more than one service (Fire, Ambulance and Police). Ask for the service which is needed most urgently. For non-urgent situations call 105. Report all instances of crime, even when police response is not required this helps police identify any suspicious behaviour or patterns of crime developing. It also helps the police to decide if the rest of the community should be alerted. Page 29

Look after yourself and your rural neighbours by connecting and communicating, with the help of neighbourhood support. We can keep safe and happy by being mindful to take easy and sensible measures inside and out, both to keep safe and make it hard for criminals to steal in our rural areas, to help bring those offenders to justice and to be prepared in a crisis or emergency situation.

Reduce risks and keep safe in rural areas by taking precautions

- Lock and secure homes, outbuildings, and vehicles. Install security sensor lights around buildings if possible - Take notice of who is out and about, talk to them (particularly if they are not locals) - Ensure you have enough food and water for yourselves and your pets and animals to keep you going for at least three days if you are unable to get out - Have a plan in case power is lost, how will you keep warm? Can you cook? Do you have alternative power? - Be fire safe! Have a family escape plan, working smoke detectors, adequate and appropriate firefighting equipment, and resources to hand, always check local fire restrictions and think about fire prevention and protection needs on your property - Keep a pack of emergency supplies at hand in case you need to leave your property in a hurry and may not be able to return for a while - Clearly tag pets and animals and keep up to date accurate stock and produce records as well as inventories - Know your neighbours, exchange contact details, and let them know when you may be away or if you need assistance - Keep yourself safe; If you are leaving the house to investigate something of concern, ensure someone knows where you are going, what you are checking and how long you will be. Take a phone or radio with you - Close access gates and keep an eye on one another and neighbour’s property, animals, and pets - You may choose to become a Neighbourhood Support member or form a local group for crime prevention and use our mailbox and window home security stickers or request street signs.

Betty-Ann Smart

South Canterbury Neighbourhood Support Co-ordinator

scns@xtra.co.nz (03) 687 9802 027 668 8114