Onehunga Community Patrol – appreciation and recognition  2 min read

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Recognising its volunteers and generous sponsors was the order of the day for Onehunga Community Patrol at a special event in July. Held at the Royal Oak Bowling Club, 21 volunteers were presented with a Patrol Service Award Certificate and a Service lapel badge by Onehunga Community Constable, Don Allan. 

 

The volunteers are a highly active group, with the majority of the crew notching up between six and ten years of membership – a combined total of almost 1500 hours of  patrolling. They could not go about their daily business without the generous support of three local sponsors: car repair business, Mayne Automotive, which provides the patrol car and does on-going maintenance; CBD Energy – Z Royal Oak – which provides free petrol; and Onehunga Business Association which provides office space and storage. Certificates were awarded to Mayne Automotive’s owners, Annie and Doreen, but the other sponsors will be awarded their certificates at another time. 

 

Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ) is a national organisation which was formed in 2001, with over 5,000 members. The patrollers work closely with Police as extra eyes and ears with the aim of building safer communities. The Onehunga group patrols the area from Taumanu Reserve to Greenwoods Corner, and Great South Road to Hillsborough. Coordinator, Peter Grainger, says they are not allowed to directly intervene if they see something, such as a burglary or assault taking place, but have to call the Police – their safety is paramount. 

 

Patrollers are expected to do at least one three-hour patrol a month, which can be either during the day or in the evening. New recruits must go through Police vetting and reference checks and then participate in at least three patrols before being accepted as a patroller. Training will be in the form of on-the-job experience together with the use of a comprehensive training manual and on-line tests. 

 

If you are confident and outgoing, can use your initiative alongside your common sense, then you may be ideal for a volunteer role with Onehunga Community Patrol. Email Peter on onehunga@cpnz.org.nz or call Community Constable, Don Allan, on 213 8691. 

 

 

Onehunga Community Patrol volunteer Caroline Knights (centre), with Mayne Automotive’s Annie (L) and Doreen (R) 

Twenty one of the 29 Onehunga Community Patrol team with Don Allan (centre front)