June 2021 Bulletin

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Firearms Related Crimes

Unfortunately, over the past months there has been a spate of firearm incidents that have been reported in various parts of the state – but predominately in the Northern District. These incidents do not happen in isolation and there will always be people who know who the offenders are, where they live, what car they drive, what their nicknames are, what the gossip is about where they hide their weapons etc etc. Police are keen to collect any information like this – they collate, analyse and value-add to what they are told to produce better information which is termed intelligence.

Significant seizures have happened, and arrests have been made – but investigations are ongoing. How can Neighbourhood Watch help? We can share the message that Tasmania has a permanent firearms amnesty – anyone can hand in firearms without action being taken for possession offences. We can share the importance of providing stolen firearms information or illegal firearms activity to the police on 131 444 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00 or crimestopperstas.com.au.

We can also circulate details about the next mobile amnesty to be held in Bridgewater this weekend. Between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, 3 July 21, the Tasmania Police Command Bus will be at the Greenpoint Shopping Centre to receive unwanted and illegal firearms, ammunition, and gel blasters that imitate firearms.

Crime Stoppers

Like Neighbourhood Watch, Crime Stoppers are an official partner of Tasmania Police with a primary objective of providing a means for people to supply information anonymously to help solve crimes. Furthermore, Crime Stoppers do pay out rewards if your information results in an arrest. When you give information to Crime Stoppers you will be given a unique confidential identification code so that you can claim a reward if eligible.

Today, Crime Stoppers launched the Australia National Firearms Amnesty. No unregistered firearms. That’s our aim!

Welcome to Neighbourhood Watch Howrah Gardens!

Howrah Gardens is our newest Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Group that straddles the border between Clarence Plains and Howrah. Our Coordinators are Stephen and Annette Bourke and as an example of how to start a NHW community, they have been highly active in distributing information about NHW and providing our gate signs and window transfer labels to anyone in their community who wants to get on board. These resources are available to any of our groups if you make a request through admin@nhwtas.org.au.

The Howrah Gardens objective is for every home in their community to join NHW and display our logo on their premises. Scientific evidence proves that an active NHW group can reduce crime in their community by between 16% – 26%. This is outstanding data that by itself should encourage communities to want to be part of the NHW success.

Honours & Awards

Congratulations to Roxley Snare, long time Coordinator of Central Wynyard Neighbourhood Watch. Roxley was named in the Queen’s Birthday Australian Honours Awards as being the recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the community of Wynyard. Roxley is a most deserving recipient with an extensive list of community service. If we need a role model for the things that we can do in our neighbourhood we can see Roxley’s list by clicking on the following link:
https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2008957

Well done Roxley, Neighbourhood Watch Tasmania salutes you!

Neighbourhood Watch Week

The dates for Neighbourhood Watch Week (the Week) have been announced as 8 – 14 November 21. Once again, with the assistance of NHWA, we have partnered with Bunnings and their Crime Prevention Week. There are seven Bunnings Warehouses in Tasmania and in 2019 (pre-Covid) we ran events in every one of their Tasmanian locations during the Week. How great would it be to do the same again this year?

Bunnings barbecues are an effective means for fund raising – but also for promoting Neighbourhood Watch. During the Week Bunnings have previously provided an information stand inside their front door for NHW; donated a prize for a raffle; and helped us run a CWAC in their café. Get in early with your local Bunnings to see what you can do for the partnership in 2021.

New Neighbourhood Watch Shirts

Just one of the benefits coming out of the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) International Conference is access to a new NHW shirt which is available for purchase for all members at the very reasonable price of $25. You saw the group photo in our previous bulletin with some of the conference delegates posing in the shirts. Here is what it looks like standing alone.

These shirts are available in both men’s and women’s design and sizing, and the value and style is excellent.

Use this link > https://www.nhwa.com.au/product/mens-nhw-polo-shirt/ to make a purchase and wear it with pride – because we do improve the wellbeing of our communities.

The shirts were designed by an indigenous design agency and further explanation about the importance and meaning of the design is also included in the image.

A Conference Initiative

Each Monthly Bulletin will provide a summary of one of the conference presentations so that we can all benefit from the ideas, evidence, and initiatives that those present had the opportunity to hear first-hand. A recurring theme was about the benefits of social cohesion for improving community safety and reducing the fear of crime. There is now significant research that identifies an epidemic of loneliness in our society. However, there is also a plethora of research that proves community engagement activities have a positive effect on these symptoms. Tess Casey from Neighbourhood Support in New Zealand summed this up when she said, Safety is a by-product of connectedness.

NHW in Tasmania has embraced the Cuppa with a Cop (CWAC) initiative. On face value the CWACs are an excuse for a free cup of coffee. However, the underlying purpose and benefits are that the social engagement is beneficial for the people who attend. The CWACs can contribute to building their sense of community and safety; and are also beneficial for the police to confirm that they are valued and appreciated by the communities where they work. CWACs take some time and effort to put together. Whatever the event, the planning involves engagement over time, and even if you do not realise it at the time – this all contributes to connectedness and being good neighbours.

Cuppa With a Cop at Shoreline Plaza, Howrah – 21 July 21

In 2021 Neighbourhood Watch Tasmania is continuing to celebrate its 35 years anniversary of operations in our state. The next CWAC in Clarence (where our first NHW was established) is to be at 11am on Wednesday, 21 July 21 at Banjos Bakery and Café, Shoreline Plaza in Howrah. All our Shoreline/Howrah members are encouraged to be there. But it is an event for anyone and everyone who can take an hour out of their day and enjoy a cuppa on us. Please mark it in your diary and help this be another successful community event.

Crime Prevention Tips

Make sure your house number is clearly visible, day and night, from the street so that police and emergency services can find your home quickly. If your home is situated on a corner the number should face the street named in your address.
An empty garage usually means no one is home so keep your garage doors closed when you go out in the car.

Key Dates for 2021

21 July CWAC at Banjos, Shoreline Plaza, Howrah
9 September RUOK Day
6 October International Coffee with a Cop Day
8-14 November Neighbourhood Watch/Bunnings Crime Prevention Week (the Week)
20 November NHWT Awards Presentation and AGM in Launceston

And in Conclusion

The latest COVID-19 information for Tasmanians is available at https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/ and you can always find this link at the very top of the Neighbourhood Watch Tasmania website https://nhwtas.org.au/.

Yours in Neighbourhood Watch

Peter Edwards, President

Good Neighbours Create Safer Communities

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