User:Macpen/South Kaipara Community

South Kaipara Community Patrol Trust is a community based group, that has a close relationship with the Police, working to reduce crime in the Helensville / Parakai area.

The SKCPT is affilated with Community Patrols New Zealand, a national body encouraging the development of local community patrols, to assist New Zealand Police, to reduce crime and build safer communities. The patrol acts as an extra set of eyes and ears for the police, as rostered pairs of volunteers drive around the streets, observing and recording anything unusual or illegal. The Community Patrol is in effect an additional resource for the Police. Any action required is handled by the Police.

The Police provided all Community Patrols, affliated to CPNZ with a Police Liaison Officer, who acts on the information recorded in the community patrol log sheets and gives the patrol ongoing support and training. Patrollers log in with the Police Communications Centre at the start of each shift, prior to commensing patrol.

Community Patrols throughout New Zealand are proving to be effective in reducing the incidents of crime. The visable presence of patrols are acting as a deterant, reducing incidents of disorderly behaviour, vandalism, boy racers and gaffetti.