Police endorse volunteer match

Press, 22 July 1989, Page 12

Police endorse volunteer match

By

KATHY FEARN

A volunteer town watch system in Kaikoura has the support of police headquarters in Wellington.

The Deputy 1 Commissioner, Mr Steve Rusbatch, said the Kaikoura initiative was appropriate and responsible and he fully endorsed it. The Police Commissioner, Mr John Jamieson, expressed reservations recently about a scheme being set up by Northland farmers, who he said had over-reacted to news of reduced police resources by saying they would arm themselves with clubs and guns.

“A vigilante response to crime only exacerbates police problems. If weapons are used and people get hurt, there have to be inquiries and prosecutions, none of which the police need,” he said.

The Kaikoura operation was formed after residents became concerned at the increase in burglaries in the area. Mr Rusbatch said a group of 45 local businessmen and residents operated under police rules, patrolled in

pairs, carried no weapons and took no action other than to report its findings, if any.

Those associated with the Kaikoura town watch, were responsible people working closely with the two resident constables, said Mr Rusbatch.

The group worked when the constables did not and their hours were varied so offenders could not concentrate on any particular time to commit an offence, said Constable Murray Devine. A constable was always on call. Rosters were organised so police knew who was out, what vehicle they were driving and for how long. Since the group was set up a month ago, there had been a decline in offending and dishonesty offences in the community. Because of this, it was decided that the group become a permanent volunteer patrol and within the next month it would be issued with “Kaikoura Volunteer Patrol Report Forms.” These would state what the patrol had seen, where it had been, who had patrolled and how long it was out, Constable Devine said.