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Rising interest for safer communities

Manawatu District Council

Wednesday 5 August 2009, 11:40AM

By Manawatu District Council

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MANAWATU-WHANGANUI

INTEREST in the Neighbourhood Support movement in Manawatu continues to rise with 25 percent of the district’s population expected to be involved in organised groups within the next few years.

Manawatu Neighbourhood Support Co-ordinator, Allan Muntz, said 18.5 percent of the district’s rural and urban communities were now part of the programme compared to 15 percent last June and only six percent in July 2007.

“Graphs show that things have slowed since the programme started,” said Mr Muntz, “but with 50 households a month still becoming part of the various groups we can reach 25 percent in the next two to three years. And that would be great.”

Mr Muntz said if that level was maintained it would ensure ongoing safety in district neighbourhoods and communities.

Since the end of June last year, the number of district households involved with the programme has grown from 1556 to 2229, groups have risen to 278 from 189 and there are now 3781 people on board compared to 2837.

Mr Muntz said increased figures were evident throughout the district, from Apiti in the north to Rangiotu in the south, though there was a greater buy-in from rural communities who knew “they have to look after themselves”.

“A lot of town people think there is a lot of work involved, but there’s not. It’s only getting to know your neighbour... and more people are now talking to each other in town than a year ago, and to me, that’s the most important thing.”

His next aim was to encourage greater interest in Feilding, especially in areas where no groups existed and there had been “some activity”.

“We are trying different things like holding daytime meetings, as a lot of people don’t want to go out at night, but will during the day.”

Mr Muntz said even having the name of just a few residents in a street or road was important because “in an emergency, one name is better than none”.

“People sometimes just need a contact to seek advice, especially if it’s something they feel shouldn’t be going on in the neighbourhood.”

He was grateful for ongoing funding support from the Manawatu District Council, the Crime Prevention Unit of the Ministry of Justice and various trusts and charities, as well as the close working relationship with Feilding police.

“I deal with the police on a day-to-day basis and the partnership works well. I couldn’t do the job without their resources.”

Sergeant Mike Lawton, of Feilding police, said Neighbourhood Support had grown significantly over the last 18 months and this had helped promote safety in the community.

“From a police point of view it gives us a lot of extra eyes and ears, with people prepared to let us know what is happening.”

He said the programme was about building on what had gone before.

“It’s about people taking more of an ownership of their community. Police, despite their best efforts, can’t do it all, and without the help of neighbourhood groups would not have been able to achieve some of the results they have.

“Some of the information and assistance from the groups, whether it be on a large or minor scale, has helped to reduce crime,” he said.