Watch on SA Neighbourhood Watch SA Magazine Issue 13 Winter 2018
A priceless contribution pays off
Neighbourhood Watch SA a safe and connected community
IN THIS ISSUE
From the State Coordinator Last issue I talked about evidence-based policing and how Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) contributes to crime prevention. This time around I want to drill down and explore what it is about NHW that attracts people to join and the fundamental principles that actually contribute to crime prevention. Is it the spreading of the word to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to police? Is it the raising of awareness among community members about crime trends, providing personal safety strategies and a reminder to secure property and belongings? Or is it the theory that would-be criminals are deterred from committing crime in areas where they see NHW signs and stickers. The answer is all the above. The first component is effectively about community members working with police by being the eyes and ears for them. The second is about police communicating what is happening in your local neighbourhood and then you taking reasonable steps to be safe and to target-harden your property. Thirdly, conspicuous NHW signage in an area is likely to discourage an opportunist offender, resulting in them moving onto a softer target.
There are also rewarding social benefits associated with joining your local NHW area. Engaging in NHW activities helps build social cohesion and develop a sense of belonging. This is achieved when the community accepts ownership of local problems and works with police and other stakeholders to implement tangible crime prevention initiatives. Finally, it is the important reassurance factor of how affiliation with NHW contributes to alleviating the fear of crime, particularly for the most vulnerable in our communities.
From the State Coordinator...................... 2 President’s report..................................... 2 It’s showtime!............................................ 3 Road safety is child’s play........................ 4 John Wallace recognised for service to NHW SA................................................... 5 South Coast LSA Awards dinner.............. 5 A priceless contribution pays off............... 6 Don’t play with fire when cooking............. 7 Tips for a safe Halloween......................... 8
This brings me onto the relationship between minority groups and social inclusion, a point I touched on last issue which I will expand on and how it relates to NHW in the Spring issue. Until then I hope you start noticing and enjoying the lengthening daylight hours. Sergeant Phil Gurr Neighbourhood Watch SA State Coordinator South Australia Police
President’s report Last time I explained the fundamentals of Neighbourhood Watch SA, the program, and the role of the Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers Association of SA Inc. (NHW VASA Inc.). So how does this all fit in, and what does it mean to anyone volunteering within a Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Area? On a day-to-day basis it has little effect, as NHW Areas are free to conduct their normal meetings and activities under the guidelines of the NHW program as they see fit, with very little constraint. These meetings are designed to be run jointly by a South Australia Police (SAPOL) member (the Police Coordinator) and the leader of the NHW Area committee (the Area Coordinator).
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NHW Area representatives, usually the Area Coordinators, come together on a quarterly basis at meetings convened by SAPOL Crime Prevention Officers from the District or Local Service Area in which the NHW Areas are located. This is where information is passed, and discussion takes place, in both directions between the NHW Area representatives and SAPOL, forming the basis on which individual NHW Areas can conduct their meetings and their own programs. Still no mention of the NHW VASA Inc.? Next time I’ll discuss the ‘missing link’.
Phil Tavender President Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers Association of SA Inc.
It’s showtime!
Each year the State Community Engagement Section plays a significant role in the SAPOL display at the Royal Adelaide Show. This is a wonderful event where police have a unique opportunity to positively engage with members of the public for 10 days. The SAPOL stand in Jubilee Pavilion is a crowd favourite, attracting around 10,000 daily visitors throughout the Show. Our interactive display has snared the blue ribbon for first prize in the Brand SA category at six of the past seven Shows, with astute judges commending it for the large audiences, friendly police officers and fantastic presentation.
The popular police motorcycle will be on display once again, so take the opportunity to hop aboard and have your photo taken for a gold coin donation. Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) staff will be on hand to provide information about exciting opportunities to volunteer with local NHW groups or even starting a NHW group. A NHW 33-year timeline will be on display to show how NHW has gone from strength to strength in SA, following humble beginnings of the first NHW group at Flinders Park in 1985.
This success is expected to continue at this year’s Show from 31 August until 9 September with the SAPOL stand’s theme being ‘community engagement’.
The ever popular NHW bin stickers will be available at no charge with other giveaways including NHW magnetic torches, fidget spinners, note pads, drink bottles and children’s hats.
We will be showcasing SAPOL’s major community programs, including Neighbourhood Watch and Blue Light, as well as educational activities being run by the Road Safety Centre.
A great new addition to the stand is a novel and exciting virtual reality experience Beware What You Share to help those above the age of seven make smarter choices online.
The interactive computer-generated experience immerses the user in real scenarios they may encounter online and presents different options on how to respond, prompting them to think about what they are sharing. Immersive technology such as this is groundbreaking for SAPOL and it is hoped the Beware What You Share virtual reality becomes a popular and powerful educational tool for both parents and their children. State Community Engagement Section encourages you all to visit the SAPOL stand and say hi, pick up some merchandise, and check out the range of interactive and educational activities specially developed for this year’s Show. We look forward to seeing you during the Show.
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Road safety is child’s play
South Australia Police (SAPOL) is now offering a free road safety program at the Road Safety Centre for primary school aged children during each school holidays. While South Australian children have the opportunity to visit the Road Safety Centre as part of a school excursion, not all schools participate in this program. The free school holiday program provides an additional opportunity for children to gain vital road safety education. Participants in the two-hour program will have a classroom session, followed by a practical session of bicycle riding on the mock roadway to put into practice their new knowledge. All equipment is supplied and the Road Safety Centre has a range of bicycles to cater for all. The sessions are provided for children in two age groups, 5 – 8 years and 9 – 12 years, and are held at the Road Safety Centre located at Thebarton Police Barracks, Port Road, Adelaide.
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SAPOL will promote the booking details on their social media and internet sites prior to each school holiday period. Spaces for the popular sessions are limited so if you are interested in your children attending this free road safety program next school holidays, keep an eye out for the booking details closer to the date. If you are unable to attend one of the sessions, the mock roadway at the Road Safety Centre is available for public use when not booked by SAPOL. The mock roadway is located in the south-west corner of Thebarton Police Barracks, Port Road, Adelaide. Entry is via Bonython Park. The mock roadway is free to use and you just need to bring your own bikes and safety equipment. The traffic lights and signs are in operation between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm daily and from 8.00 am and 8.00 pm during daylight saving hours.
The mock roadway is available on weekends, and during weekdays before 10.00 am and after 2.00 pm or when not in use by SAPOL. To check availability please contact the Road Safety Centre on 8207 4668 or visit the website at www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/roadsafety/road-safety-centre
John Wallace recognised for service to NHW SA Retired Senior Sergeant John Wallace has been recognised for his significant service to Neighbourhood Watch SA. Family and friends were amongst a large crowd that attended a special ceremony held at Eldercare Allambi on 25 June 2018 to celebrate John’s long-term contribution to Neighbourhood Watch (NHW). Sergeant Trevor Smith from Southern District presented John with a framed Certificate of Appreciation acknowledging his 16 years of service. Several guest speakers shared their stories and testimonies about John, who served as Area Coordinator for South Brighton from 2001 until August 2017 when he resigned after suffering a stroke. Before becoming Area Coordinator, John enjoyed a distinguished policing career after joining SAPOL in 1961 and graduating in 1963. He spent the first two years of his career on city patrols and at suburban stations before embarking on a 16-year stint in country policing. He then served as a patrol sergeant at Darlington for eight years.
John was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 1990 for outstanding police and community service. In 1992 he received the honour of Father of the Year by the Lions Club and the business community of Adelaide for his work with ‘at risk children’ in the city area. During his policing career John was a NHW SA Coordinator for many years as well as being involved with the Watch programs since their inception. The recognition of John’s many years of dedication to NHW formed part of an afternoon of celebration at the aged care facility, which included a performance from SAPOL’s entertaining Dixieland Band. John’s supportive wife Denise also received a special gift on behalf of South Brighton NHW. John was clearly moved by the occasion, and both he and his family thank everyone for their support.
South Coast LSA Awards dinner South Coast Local Service Area held their annual Awards dinner earlier this year with 80 members and invited guests in attendance. Katrine Hildyard MP, member for Reynell, was MC and entertainment was provided by the Band of the South Australia Police. The Awards dinner acknowledged the efforts of our valued volunteers and recognised the special qualities of the recipients of this year’s Les Scanlon Memorial Award, John and Ginny Dolan, and Chairperson’s Award, George Holroyd. Certificates were presented to volunteers recognising five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service. Doreen Thomas and the O’Sullivan Beach Area were honoured with a 30-year certificate presented by the Mayor of the City of Onkaparinga, Lorraine Rosenberg.
Guest speaker, Superintendent Christine Baulderstone, thanked all those in attendance for their commitment to volunteering, their ongoing support of the program and acknowledged their efforts in making their communities safer.
Photos sourced by Angas Northeast.
Thank you to the South Coast Awards Committee who always put on an outstanding evening.
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A priceless contribution pays off SAPOL volunteer Margaret Kneebone is this year’s winner of the South Australia Police Volunteers Program – Commissioner’s Volunteer of the Year Award. The award, presented by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens during a ceremony at the Police Academy earlier this year, recognised the Victor Harbor resident’s outstanding, long-term dedication to volunteering in a range of roles in her community. Margaret has been a volunteer for almost 25 years and has been involved with Neighbourhood Watch since 2008. She has assisted both the police and her wider community by voluntarily removing graffiti in the area for more than 15 years. Her work removing graffiti is invaluable, with timely removal recognised as one of the proven methods of preventing further graffiti-based property damage in the community.
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Margaret is held in high regard by her fellow volunteers and the Hills Fleurieu Local Service Area (LSA) staff she works alongside. She works hard to make a difference in her local community. With Neighbourhood Watch she has not only served on the committee, but also given time and effort to prepare newsletters and flyers. The 72-year-old has been involved with Blue Light (since 2010) during which time she has been a committee member, assisted with organising events and attended each disco in her area. Supporting her nomination, Superintendent Mark Fairney, the Officer in Charge of Hills Fleurieu LSA, said the community in Victor Harbor and the region recognised Margaret’s untiring level of energy and commitment.
“As LSA Commander for the Hills Fleurieu Local Service Area I recognise the value that volunteers have to the success of most of our crime prevention initiatives,” he said. “Margaret just keeps on keeping on. She serves the community without wanting anything in return. “She has made a significant difference to both the young and older generations with her dedication, caring and commitment towards making positive changes.” In addition to the award presentation, other SAPOL volunteers were recognised with certificates in honour of their hours of dedicated service. Currently SAPOL is supported by more than 860 registered volunteers working across nine different volunteer roles throughout the state, in areas such as training, community engagement, crime prevention and community safety.
Don’t play with fire when cooking With cooking the leading winter house fire danger, the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) is urging South Australians to ‘keep looking when cooking’. MFS and Country Fire Service (CFS) firefighters have battled 826 cooking related fires over the past three calendar years, with damage ranging from partial to total house loss. Statistics show between 70 and 80 people die in preventable house fires across Australia each year, while an estimated 2,000 people are injured. The MFS urges the community to ‘keep looking when cooking’ this winter, or, in other words, to ‘stand by your pan’. They are simple but effective safety messages that everyone can abide by. Distractions are a major cause of cooking fires. If you’re prone to being distracted by the TV, loved ones, your phone or social media, set a timer with a loud alarm that will ensure you don’t leave food too long in the oven or on the stove. The MFS urges householders to store a dry chemical powder fire extinguisher with a minimum 5B(E) rating and a fire blanket near the kitchen to help prevent small kitchen fires from getting out of control. If you’re not confident of battling the fire or if it grows too large, simply turn the oven or stove off – if it’s safe to do so – before evacuating and calling 000 (Triple Zero). Another major risk is oil and fat fires. The MFS instructs to NEVER put water on an oil or fat fire and NEVER try to move a pan that’s caught alight.
The MFS urges all householders to follow these tips:
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Never leave the kitchen when you are cooking.
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Never try to move a pan that has caught on fire. This may result in spillage, injury and the spreading of fire.
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If a fire occurs in the oven, turn the oven off and leave the door closed to smother the fire. Call the fire service on 000 (Triple Zero).
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Remove all grease and oil from cooking surfaces to reduce the chance of a fire starting.
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Wear clothes with short or tight-fitting sleeves. Loose garments can easily catch fire.
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Do not put combustible materials such as tea towels and oven mitts on or near the cook top.
Never throw water onto an oil or fat fire. Use a fire blanket or a Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguisher to smother the flames. Note: If you do not have a fire blanket or an extinguisher protect your hands and use a utensil lid or a solid bread board to smother the fire. Keep the utensil lid on the benchtop for this purpose. Then turn off the heat. Call the fire service on 000 (Triple Zero). Do not try to move the pan until it has cooled completely.
Always call the fire service on 000 (Triple Zero) even if you have put the fire out. The fire could have spread to your range hood or into your ceiling through your exhaust fan. There is no cost for fire service attendance when you call 000. Find more MFS cooking fire safety tips online at www.mfs.sa.gov.au/site/community_safety/home_fire_and_life_ safety_information_sheets_domestic/cooking.jsp
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Events calendar
Watch on SA
NHW VASA Annual General Meeting 17 November 2018
Neighbourhood Watch SA Magazine
For all State Councillors, Executive Committee members and Neighbourhood Watch members.
Next issue: Spring 2018
10.00 am for a 10.30 am start. Education Development Centre, Milner Rd, Hindmarsh.
Tips for a safe Halloween It’s getting to that time of year again when the children of the house turn into little ghouls! Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, with children across many of our suburbs wanting to dress up in costumes and go door to door ‘trick or treating’. Before children take to the streets, police recommend that parents talk to them about how to behave to help them stay safe when they’re out and about. These Halloween safety tips are to help parents and caregivers ensure their kids have a safe and enjoyable Halloween: •
Children ‘trick or treating’ should be accompanied by a trusted, responsible person.
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Children and young people should walk, not run, when going from house to house.
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They need to obey traffic rules, watch out for cars, use proper road crossings where available and watch out for younger children.
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Children should stay on the footpath at all times. If there is no footpath, walk single file on the right hand side facing traffic, or reconsider allowing the children to use that route.
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Take extra care when crossing roads as children may find it hard to see so well in a costume.
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If using a skateboard, rollerblades or bikes, a helmet must be worn.
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After knocking on the door and saying ‘trick or treat’ children or young people should stay at the front door and not enter the person’s house, even if invited inside while the person looks for treats. They should also leave immediately if asked to do so.
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Sometimes, a person whose door is knocked either doesn’t want to participate, or selects a trick instead of providing a treat. Children and young people should be told any trick must not cause harm, fear, damage or be abusive in any way.
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Be respectful of other members of the community as not everyone celebrates Halloween. Some people will be genuinely concerned or fearful of any doorknockers. If you are aware of someone like that, make sure your children know not to bother them.
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Parents may consider an alternative to ‘trick or treating’ by holding a Halloween party at home; that way children are supervised and still celebrating Halloween.
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If a house full of little monsters is not appealing, neighbouring families could set up a safe house arrangement, where children are given a list of addresses of participating families to doorknock in the locality, and these are the only houses they go to.
SA Police have also developed posters for residents to display on their door or letterbox, indicating whether they welcome ‘Trick or Treaters’, or don’t wish to participate in Halloween celebrations. Colour-in versions of these posters are also available – please visit www.police.sa.gov.au/yoursafety/crime-prevention-and-security/safety-and-security-tips and decide what poster best suits you and keep an eye out for houses displaying these signs.
Got an event coming up?
Editorial content
If your Neighbourhood Watch Area is planning a large event and want it promoted in this magazine, on the Facebook page or the NHW SA website, just email or call the State Community Engagement Section.
Watch on SA magazine will accept editorial from Neighbourhood Watch volunteers. Contact the State Community Engagement Section to learn more.
State Community Engagement Section SA Police Headquarters 100 Angas Street Adelaide SA 5000 GPO Box 1539 Adelaide SA 5001 Phone: 7322 3298 Email: SAPOLNeighbourhoodWatch@ police.sa.gov.au Facebook: NeighbourhoodWatchSA Website: www.police.sa.gov.au/nhw