North Dunedin community patrol volunteer Murray Randall and chairman Vince Jones discuss the need for more volunteers. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
Now, the North Dunedin Community Patrol is searching for volunteers to join it.
Community Patrol chairman Vince Jones said it supported police on two of the busiest nights of the week to help make their jobs easier and keep the community safe.
However, a sharp decline in numbers had made the job busier than ever.
"We're down to about nine patrollers now, when we used to have about 16, it's just been dwindling down over the years. "
Two members of the group go out in its car between 9pm and 2am on Friday and Saturday, scoping out the city for trouble and calling police when needed.
Mr Jones said he believed the antisocial hours kept people away.
"At the end of the day, it's about helping police and helping the community _ we're the eyes and the ears, and we are also a deterrent."
Prospective volunteers could expect about one to two shifts a month.
Some of the volunteers were trained in advanced first aid and could be first on the scene while waiting for an ambulance.
They were also trained in traffic-control measures and often helped after car accidents.
Many younger community patrol members had gone on to apply to join the police.
The role looked "great" on police applications, Mr Jones said.
The group was looking for volunteers of all ages and had members from ages 22 to 80.
"There's numerous things we do and people don't always realise it ... We are desperate for volunteers, especially with the students soon coming back."
