Martinborough Community Patrol Celebrates 25 years.
Late last year a special anniversary dinner was held at the Medici Café to celebrate the founding of the Martinborough Community Patrol, 25 years ago.
Not only was the dinner to celebrate the anniversary, but it also was to recognise the commitment and dedication of Julia Squire who had been the main communicator, and coordinator of all activities right throughout that time. It was a considerable commitment, always done willingly.
The Martinborough Community Patrol came about in direct response to the sole local police constable having difficulty coping with the number of problems that were surfacing in Martinborough at the time. A public meeting was held to assess community interest. People volunteered to patrol. To begin with there was no committee. Neither was there any police input, or training but Julia offered to coordinate activities.
Originally people went out in their own cars. They simply went equipped with a book and a pen. On some nights, the only miscreants were feral cats and rabbits caught in the spotlight. On others more serious incidents took place.
In 2002 after Martinborough’s Community Patrol had already been in existence for 7 years. Community Patrol NZ (CPNZ) was founded to assist in coordinating community patrol groups throughout NZ. The next year Martinborough became an affiliated member.
In 2004 The Martinborough Community Patrol elected a committee to assist Julia. To begin with CPNZ provided conferences and some funding to help a nominated member attend. The conferences were helpful in terms of passing on ideas, training techniques, and communications.
This was followed by training, using Road Shows as a vehicle of instruction. Then came a dedicated trainer. This person received training from CPNZ, and it was their task to pass on that training to the local volunteers. CPNZ training manuals were produced. An online training feature was developed.
There was assistance with equipment too. Mobile phones were allocated and infra-red lights for probing dark corners. A dedicated number was assigned for contact should one need police assistance. Things started to become more professional. Now we have a specially branded Community Patrol Car, Patrol members carry ID, and a roster gives people flexibility as to the times and frequency they go on patrol.
The Martinborough Community Patrol has been effective in helping to reduce our crime rates. But like any other organisation it must be dynamic.
We need your help.
If you can spare the time day or night, even for just a few hours a month, please contact the Martinborough Community Patrol at
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