Community patrollers are volunteers who work closely with police through the Community Patrols of New Zealand organisation. They may patrol areas, assist at accident and crime scenes and help control crowds at public events. They do not intervene in situations, instead reporting incidents and suspicious activity and providing information to police.
Constable Peter Rameka, of Alexandra, the police liaison officer for the fledgling Alexandra Rural Community Patrol, said community patrols made a great contribution to communities elsewhere in New Zealand and he was confident they would benefit Central Otago in the same way.
A community patrol had operated in Wanaka for about four years and it was assisting police in a positive way and helping make the community safer, Const Rameka said.
A community patrol was also set up in Cromwell last year and, although it was still "early days there", it would also help police and the community, he said.
In Alexandra, a committee had been formed and volunteer community patrollers would soon be recruited.
The Alexandra group would cover the Alexandra, Clyde, Roxburgh and Maniototo areas, and it was hoped volunteers would be recruited from the broader Central Otago region, Const Rameka said. Volunteers from all demographics were being sought, including retired, working and younger people.
A typical community patroller was "someone who cares about the community and has an interest in it — they have a passion and they want to give back to the community", Const Rameka said.
Volunteers went through a vetting and training process and were fully supported by police, he said.
They would wear high-visibility vests when on duty and work from a community patrol car. It was hoped sponsorship could be gained for a local car.
The Alexandra Rural Community Patrol would hopefully be operating by Christmas, and a promotional open day to show the community how the patrol operated would then be held at the Alexandra Police Station, Const Rameka said.
• Anyone interested in finding out more about the Alexandra Rural Community Patrol can call Const Rameka on (03) 440-2500.
