It's Not All About Crime: Neighbourhood Watch Week

BY JESSICA ROUSE

We're all being encouraged to join a Neighbourhood Watch group this week, and the regional coordinator for the Hunter says it's not all about crime.

It's Neighbourhood Watch Week throughout the country until 8th October and so far two new groups have joined - one in Medowie and another in Cameron Park.

That brings the total number in the Hunter region to 13 which is more than double the number of groups 18 months ago.

"It's certainly gaining momentum and the message is getting out there. people are going from a small neighbourhood group to actually become an official Neighbourhood Watch group so they're fully supported by Neighbourhood Watch Australasia and NSW Police," said Hunter coordinator Bill Hackney.

But the Neighbourhood Watch groups aren't just about reporting crimes and finding criminals.

"It's fairly easy to have a neighbourhood watch group now compared to what it was 30 years ago and it's for the good of the community, it's not always about crime, it's about a sense of being a part of a community group and forming that bond of getting to know your neighbour," said Bill.

You can find out more about Neighbourhood Watch at www.nhwa.com.au 

The Metford group hold a meeting on the fourth Monday of each month at the Metford Community Baptist Church starting at 7pm. They're also having an information booth at Greenhills McDonalds on October 14.

CCTV Cameras Could be an Australian First in Metford

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In what could be an Australian first, Metford Neighbourhood Watch are lending CCTV cameras to residents for free.

The group applied for a grant from Neighbourhood Watch Australasia as a part of their Safe Community Grants program and received $900 worth of CCTV cameras.

Hunter region coordinator Bill Hackney says the group have applied for a few grants, making the neighbourhood a bigger part of the community.

"We have been applying for neighbourhood watch grants for the last few years and have been successful for similar small projects."

If you're concerned for your safety, on the fourth Monday of each month you can go along to the group's monthly meeting, state your case and get access to one of the cameras for a month.

"Come along to our monthly meetings, sit down and express the situation, we'll be offering them on a one-month loan, obviously the community comes, show some identification and agree to some simple terms of damage and responsibility," said Bill Hackney.

The camera footage will provide evidence-based material to give to police which residents can do themselves, or the Neighbourhood Watch can do on their behalf.

Bill Hackney Image Hunter Independent

Your neighbourhood could be watching you again soon

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Crime appears to be gathering momentum in suburbs throughout the Hunter, and residents are being pushed to think about taking it into their own hands to deal with it.

Neighbourhood Watch is a term we've all grown up hearing about, but as time has gone on it appears to have all but disappeared.

Hunter Area Coordinator of Neighbourhood Watch Bill Hackney is teaming up with Maitland West Ward Councillor Henry Meskauskas to resurrect the program and organise a public forum to gauge the community's interest.

Bill says the population of Aberglassyn alone has grown 40 per cent since the 2007and with that crime increases as well.

In Rutherford in just the last month, there were nine break and enter offences, 34 reports of malicious damage and 50 thefts among other crimes.

"The Hunter is growing at a rate of 5 new people moving into the suburb everyday and the crime we're experiencing in Maitland the hunter region I don't think there's enough [police] to combat the increase in crime," said Bill.

"It's always been there [Neighbourhood Watch], it's just been asleep for many years. Last year Neighbourhood Watch Australasia launched a nationally recognised Neighbourhood Watch week in October which will happen again this year getting the name back out there so we're realised that neighbourhood watch isn't what it was 30 years ago - it needs to change."

Bill is also on the advisory board for NSW Police in Paramatta which is helping work towards resurrecting the program for the 21st century. He says in an age of social media and technology, Neighbourhood Watch would be more effective and easier than ever.

A date for the public forum is yet to be decided upon.