Ap ri l/M a y 2 0 1 4 CALWELL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NEWSLETTER ww w. n hw a ct . co m.a u (Area Coordinator: Luke Evans 0402 378 655 . POSITIONS VACANT 2014 ACTNHW Good Neighbour Award The 2014 ACT Neighbourhood Watch Good Neighbour Award received 13 nominations from 24 nominees for residents across the ACT The recipient of the 2014 ACTNW Good Neighbour Award is Margaret Hansen from Lyons. Margaret is valued by her neighbours and is considered by them to be an outstanding neighbour and is held in high esteem by them. Universally admired, she is active in initiating, encouraging and supporting a range of social event. She has great wisdom and displays all he attributes of quiet, respectful leadership in developing a new retired community. Margaret is welcoming to newcomers and cooks for community events and for those incapacitated or in hospital. Overall Margaret is considered to be a networker, an organiser, a hostess, a promoter, a counsellor and a good friend to all. Margaret is truly a good neighbour. Unlike the other states and territories, Neighbourhood Watch in the ACT is an entirely voluntary organisation and provides an enjoyable and rewarding experience in contributing positively to the local community. Positions in ACTNHW are suitable for anyone wanting to experience volunteering in a well-respected community organisation. Currently, there are several positions vacant. District Delegate positions are vacant in Canberra South, Canberra North, Tuggeranong (2), and Weston Creek. The District Delegate role is a Board of Management position with responsibilities for providing assistance, support and oversight of Area Coordinators in the district as well being involved in Board operations. It is recognised that these positions are voluntary so there are limited time commitments and support is always available from other Board members and the executive. Meetings are held six times a year in the third week of even-numbered months. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact the President ACTNHW on 0408 395658 or by e-mail: [email protected] CRIME STATISTICS MARCH 2014 Duggan St Fidge St Costello Cct Casey Cr Costello Cct Webber Cr Webber Cr Carter Cr Cheetham Pl Webber Cr Casey Cr Burglary - dwellings Burglary - dwellings Theft of motor vehicle number plates Theft of motor vehicle number plates Other theft Other theft Other theft Other theft Criminal damage Criminal damage Criminal damage 07/03/2014 21/03/2014 07/03/2014 30/03/2014 07/03/2014 09/03/2014 10/03/2014 29/03/2014 07/03/2014 13/03/2014 31/03/2014 Luke Evans M 0402 378 655 Cnr Scollay & Reed St North, Tuggeranong ACT 2900 Sales Consultant D 02 6293 7320 F 02 6293 4488 [email protected] ASSAULT RATES, PROPERTY DAMAGE DOWN ACROSS THE ACT ACT Policing has seen a decline in the number of assaults in the ACT, along with an 11 percent decline in offences across the ACT, according to data released from the first quarterly crime statistics report for 2014. The data compares offences reported from January to March 2014 to offences reported the same period last year (January to March 2013) and allows Canberrans to see crime data in their area. When comparing the current quarter to the same reporting period in 2013, the police data reveals assaults are at their lowest rate with 20 per cent fewer cases reported. Sexual assaults showed the most significant decrease (down 43 per cent) and are also at their lowest rate in 12 months. Property damage continues to trend downwards in the ACT, with a 26.5 per cent reduction in cases this quarter compared to the January to March quarter in 2013. Theft (down 13 per cent), and motor vehicle theft (down 3 per cent) also showed small decreases this quarter. Every ACT region experienced a decline in reported offences with the exception of Woden (up 1 per cent). Weston Creek again led the way with a 27.3 per cent decrease when compared with the same quarter in 2013. This was followed by Canberra’s inner south (down 20 per cent), Belconnen (down 13 per cent) and Gungahlin (down 2 per cent). The quarterly results are consistent with a seven per cent decrease in overall offences when comparing the past 12 months with the same 12 month period in 2012-13. The decline over the past year continues a five-year downward trend in reported crimes and offences in the ACT. We encourage the community to visit ACT Policing’s Crime Statistics webpage to view the full overview of crime in their area. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR SENIORS RETIREMENT AND TRAVEL EXPO Please report all suspicious activity, people or vehicles to Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. NHW will be sharing a stall with ACT Policing at the Seniors Retirement and Travel Expo from 16-18 May 2014. Volunteers are sought to assist on the stall and Area Coordinators are requested to seek volunteers from members in their Area. Please let your Area Coordinator know if you would like to help, together with the hours and days you are willing to attend. Volunteers who have attended before have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There are also other aspects of our neighbourhoods that may result in threats to the safety, security and well being of residents. Residents should be encouraged to also report unsafe footpaths, ineffective lighting, over hanging bushes on footpaths etc to Canberra Connect on 132281 or online at fix my street www.canberraconnect.act.gov.au/app/forms/fixmystree t GRAFFITI USEFUL NUMBERS Emergencies (serious/life threatening) 000 Police Attendance (minor crimes) 131 444 Crimestoppers (give info) 1800 333 000 State Emergency Service 132 500 Conflict Resolution Service 6162 4050 Home Safety Program 6163 9084 Citizens Advice Bureau 6257 1687 Graffiti/Fix My Street 132 281 Roaming Dogs 132 281 Water/sewer emergency 131 193 There has been a disturbing increase in graffiti across the ACT. All graffiti must be reported to Canberra Connect on 132281 or online at fix my street www.canberraconnect.act.gov.au/app/forms/fixmystr eet and to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.act.crimestoppers.com.au Even though graffiti on private property is the responsibility of the owner or tenant, it is important to report to both as a response to the graffiti problem in our community from government or the police is dependent on the volume of reports. Luke Evans M 0402 378 655 Cnr Scollay & Reed St North, Tuggeranong ACT 2900 Sales Consultant D 02 6293 7320 F 02 6293 4488 [email protected]