July 2022 Bulletin

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Elder Abuse - Legal Aid for Seniors

Tasmania Legal Aid has asked Neighbourhood Watch to use our extensive communications networks to promote their Senior Assist free legal and support service for people experiencing elder abuse.

You can find out more information about this service by phoning the number provided or by clicking this link https://www.legalaid.tas.gov.au/factsheets/fact-sheet-senior-assist/.

Get Online Week

Connection, Family and Community

Neighbour Day has very similar objectives as NHW in relation to the importance of connections in our communities. One of the NHW strengths is the growing size of our communications networks that enables us to share information across our neighbourhoods and communities. This observation from the Neighbour Day Newsletter reinforces the value of what we do and is worth sharing:

Sometimes when we talk about community – we say that our ‘community is like family’. Like a family, a community requires nurturing and care in order to flourish and grow respectful relationships. But like our biological family, a strong, well-connected community can also provide much-needed support and comfort when we need it most.

What’s Happening With Hooning?

The June Monthly Bulletin reported on our survey results that serious traffic offences are the most important concerns affecting our communities. Hooning was a key issue and Tasmania Police agree. We now take a look over the last five years to see how many vehicle complaints the police get.

Annual state-wide vehicle complaint calls with five-year average of 6792.

In the first nine months of 2021/22, 6566 calls registered a complaint about vehicles. This is 7.6% of all operational radio dispatch incidents. Noting the increasing trend in 2021, and with a further three months of data to be included, an estimated figure for 2022 may exceed 8,000 calls for the 12-months.

To combat hooning police consistently use high-visibility policing, plainclothes patrols in unmarked vehicles, as well as marked and unmarked motorcycles, to intercept offenders. Static and mobile speed detection devices, as well as number plate recognition software, are all part of their toolkit. We asked Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins about what else police can do to reduce this problem, and what community members can do to assist.

Mr Higgins advises that more recently Tasmania Police has had significant success with its fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and that, in cooperation with the Department of State Growth, new mobile speed detection cameras are being rolled out to help curb speeding and dangerous driving. These cameras, which come in both covert (in-vehicle) and high visibility variants, are being utilised around the state to provide another tool in addressing the rate of serious and fatal crashes.

In relation to how community members can assist, Mr Higgins advises that people witnessing hooning or other dangerous driving can phone the police on 131 444 or, if they have recorded the offence on a dash cam, submit the footage to Tasmania Police online at Report Dangerous Driving – Tasmania Police. He also added that information about serial offenders, their vehicle descriptions, and addresses are just as valuable to the police for operational purposes. “If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via email at crimestopperstas.com.au to pass this information onto the police in the strictest of confidence” he said.

Next month, to build on this picture, we will present an analysis of the data for Vehicles Clamped and Confiscated for key traffic offences, including hooning, to provide the reader confidence about just how many offenders are currently being caught and prosecuted. Read the full report “A Closer Look at Hooning in Tasmania“.

Commissioner Darren Hine Hosts Morning Tea for Jan & Pat

Two of our esteemed life members, Jan Dunsby and Pat Leary, were unable to attend our Awards ceremony last November to receive their Life Member lapel pins. When Police Commissioner Daren Hine became aware of this missed opportunity he offered to host a morning tea for both ladies and personally present them with their pins.

The event did not initially go as planned when the Commissioner caught Covid on the first occasion scheduled. However, it all came together on 22 July 22 at the Glenorchy Police Station. Congratulations to Jan and Pat – and thankyou to Commissioner Hine.

Mowbray Barbecue

Not to be outdone, Sai and Jill from Mowbray Neighbourhood Watch doing their bit for the community at a recent barbecue at the Dover/Mowbray Just sending through a couple of pictures from a recent Community BBQ at the Dover/Mowbray Northern Suburbs Centre. Apparently, Senior Constable Annabel Shegog was the chief tomato sauce squirter!!

Recognition Award for Cam/Somerset Stalwart

Robert Webb, a long-time member of Cam/Somerset Neighbourhood Watch was recently recognised for his service.

Robert has been a member of that NHW for over 20 years and was instrumental in ensuring their information was shared and that significant events were published in the Advocate Newspaper.

Sergeant Shane Askew, The Community Policing Officer for Western District, was recently photographed presenting a plaque and Certificate of Appreciation to Robert to recognise his service to Neighbourhood Watch Community. Congratulations Robert and thankyou Sergeant Askew.

Crime Stoppers

Life-threatening emergency or a crime happening now – Triple Zero (000)
Non-urgent matters or a crime that has happened to you – 131 444
Victim of a scam, or suspect a scam – www.scamwatch.gov.au
Minor traffic crash where you have swapped details – www.reportacrash.police.tas.gov.au.

Many other tips and information about what we can do to keep ourselves safe can be found on the Crime Stoppers Tasmania website or their Facebook Page at Crime Stoppers Tasmania | Facebook

Key Dates for 2022

15-21 August Keep Australia Beautiful to help the environment and save money
27 August Grill & Drill at Bunnings Glenorchy (NHW Greater Glenorchy in attendance)
4-10 September National Child Protection Week
8 September RUOK Day
5 October International Coffee with a Cop Day
17-23 October Get Online Week
7-13 November Neighbourhood Watch Week
19 November NHWT AGM at Country Club, Launceston

And in Conclusion

A setback is just a comeback waiting to happen!! From an NRMA Billboard
Encourage all your members and friends to join NHWTas.This is how you register as an individual member – and there is no cost.

Yours in Neighbourhood Watch
Peter Edwards, President
Good Neighbours Create Safer Communities

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