Patrol doing its bit for safer streets

NEIL DUDDY

SAFER STREETS: March 5 saw the launch of the Mangere and Papatoetoe Pacific Safety Community Patrol at the Latter Day Saints Church on Yates Rd in Mangere. About 40 volunteers will patrol areas identified by police as hot-spots in Mangere and Papatoetoe.

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The streets of Mangere and Papatoetoe are about to become a whole lot safer, thanks to a new Pacific community patrol.

The Mangere and Papatoetoe Pacific Safety Community Patrol was officially launched at the Latter Day Saints Church on Yates Rd in Mangere on March 5.

Made up of about 40 volunteers, mainly church members, the patrol follows in the footsteps of the Manurewa Pacific Crimewatch Patrol which was launched last year.

Joining volunteers for the launch were special guests including Police Minister Judith Collins, Counties Manukau police superintendent Graham Emery and Manukau deputy mayor Gary Troup.

Patrol member Sione Tauaki says each of the patrol's 40 members are eager to make a difference in the community.

"We're going to do our best to make the community safe and we're proud to take part.

"Each member just wants to do their bit to make Mangere and Papatoetoe safer for everyone and we will do our best to do that."

Volunteers will be the eyes and ears for the police by patrolling areas that had been identified as hot-spots, including town centres, residential areas, parks and carparks, Mr Tauaki says.

The patrol's aim is to observe, record and report any suspicious activities or crimes in progress.

Before taking up their duties the volunteers were trained in how to communicate with the police, use a radio, identify suspicious behaviour and record and report incidents.

Mr Troup says the launch was a landmark day for the Mangere and Papatoetoe communities.

"It's not just about police doing their job but the community has a significant role to play.

"This group of mainly volunteers have drawn a line in the sand and decided to stand up and be part of the solution to stop crime in their community."

- © Fairfax NZ News