The Christchurch North Community Patrol has launched a second vehicle, which will see more areas, such as Strowan, covered for a longer time frame.
Alpha Ave Neighbours Association member Bernard Del Rey said Strowan residents are suffering as a result of a crime spree.
He gave a presentation at the Fendalton-Waimari-Harewood Community Board meeting, titled: ‘We feel unsafe and underserved.’
The board decided Christchurch City Council staff would look into environmental features to deter crime, and the possibility of CCTV cameras.
Del Rey’s concerns would be raised with police, the Christchurch North Community Patrol and Canterbury Neighbourhood Support.
Adding the Strowan area to the board’s Community Safety Initiative would also be looked into.
Staff would update the board on these issues within six weeks of the June 28 meeting.
Del Rey said this was a reasonable response.
“We’re up to 25 [members], six have just joined up in the past week or so. I think we’ll just keep growing.”
The second car, a Toyota Vanguard that cost $20,000, meant the patrol would be able to run general monitoring as well as focusing on trouble spots.
“It’s hard to know if it’s getting worse or we’re just hearing about it more.”
Each month the patrol makes an average 50 reports of suspicious vehicles to police, and 20 reports of suspicious behaviour.
Papanui police did not respond to a request for comment.
