Police will be available at library
A new suburban clinic is aimed at strengthening community spirit and boosting the Prevention First crimefighting strategy of Hamilton police according to Hamilton West community constables Lisa Craig and Julie Wallis.
Beginning last week one of the constables will be available for about one hour at the Dinsdale Library from 1.30pm on Thursdays to talk to people about any issues relating to community security or suspicious behaviour.
Ms Wallis said the clinic was about developing connections with the community and having someone available to talk to who might otherwise feel uncomfortable about calling the police or going into the police station.
‘‘We ask people to let us decide what information is important. Someone might come in and say they’ve seen an unusual blue car with a cracked windscreen in their street. By itself that might not mean much but when we get two or three reports of the same thing and can link it to burglaries in the area then that gives us something to work on.’’
Added to the clinic is Cindy Bridson who, along with Bev Cole, are the new Neighbourhood Support coordinators for Hamilton West.
‘‘Most of the job is just encouraging people to look out for one another and to get more information for the community to help reduce burglaries.’’
Snap (Serial Number Action Partnership), an on- line programme which enables anyone to list the serial numbers of their valued objects, including passports, is supported by the community constables and the neighbourhood coordinator.
Snap can be accessed internationally and not only does it allow police to return stolen goods to their owners but probably, more importantly, it allows police to nail the receivers of stolen goods.
‘‘There are stickers which can be placed on things like TVs to warn potential thieves that the item is listed on Snap. They are then likely to look somewhere else.’’
Snap can be accessed through snap.org.nz