NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH MEETING BY THE POLICE – 14 April 2016
Presenters:
Mr Christoforos Hangoudis – Head of Crime Prevention
Lambros Themistocleos – Ast Chief of Police for OperationsStavrou Neofytou – Volunteer – Head Co-Coordinator of Dali NW scheme
With the following in attendance:
Theocharis Christodoulou – Ast Div Commissioner for Administration
Kyriakos Kyriakou – Officer in Charge, Paphos Police Station
Andreas Stylianou – Community Police Officer
There was a brief introduction by Areti Pieridou welcoming the Police and attendees to the meeting.
Presentation by Stavrou Neofytou:
The Neighbourhood Watch programme was launched in Dali, Nicosia, in 2011. Dali has a population of around 10,000. Stavrou launched the programme and he is a volunteer and organiser of the scheme.
Neighbourhood Watch has proven successful re crime prevention. The Police are committed to the expansion of the scheme. Full support of citizens is essential for crime prevention and safety. Everyone is urged to join and inform the Police regarding anything suspicious or unusual.
In this programme we are all friends – the state, the local authorities, the police and us the simple citizens.
What is the Neighbourhood Watch programme?
A large number of volunteers exchanging information with the local authority [with telephone messages] concerning safety and security, warnings, advice and events. This was done in Dali with excellent cooperation with the Police. We are not policemen but we are helping the Police to protect us. We are just the eyes and ears of the Police.
WE DO NOT TAKE THE LAW IN OUR HANDS
Why we started the programme in June 2011?
1 The crime rate in Dali was increasing. In the good old times we never used to lock or even close our doors. The key on my house was there 24 hours a day. Then there was no problem. Now things have changed.
2 A robbery [and almost murder] in the middle of our town.
In May 2011, a month before we started the programme, a man sitting in a cafe in the centre of the town playing cards, noticed two persons sitting inside a parked car. He thought that they were suspicious. He finished his game, ordered food and when he sat at the table for cards again, the two persons were still there. He did nothing. After a while a shopkeeper and his wife were robbed, just around the corner from the cafe.
A simple action could have avoided a robbery [and almost a murder]. If the person at the cafe had just made one simple call. The car used was a stolen one, so automatically the suspects would have been arrested before the robbery. PREVENTION is our main target.
This event made the local authorities very upset and we felt that we, as a town, must take action. Yes, we even thought of taking the law into our own hands. A police officer, head of the Crime Prevention Office at the Headquarters originally from our home town and a personal friend from childhood, approached the Mayor and myself and suggested the Neighbourhood watch programme. This was the start.
The Initial Stage
At the beginning, people were very suspicious and reserved. But with time and good results, the initial 150 watchers became 4500 and more.
The programme has helped people to improve their trust and relations with the Police and to realise that with a little bit of help from us the Police can protect us even more.
What we actually do and how we operate
1. We have collected a list of names and telephone nos and through the CYTA SMS system we send the relevant messages:
a) About criminal activity
b) What to be careful about
c) Reminders and warnings
d) Announcements for meetings and training
e) Other events
2. If someone notices something, he calls the appropriate telephone no which he already has according to the type of problem. We analyse and check the validity of the information and we send the necessary message and take action.
3. Patrolling the town was done by individuals at their own free will. When a message was received that Churches in nearby towns were being broken into, many of our volunteers passed by the Churches to keep an eye. As a result none of our Churches have been violated. We are now patrolling now. Some of us also cycle. We tend to wear hi-viz vests when out on patrol, whether on foot or by bike.
4. We have spotted a stolen car in 10 minutes
5. We have sent a message about 3 people going round houses illegally collecting money showing fake documents. As a result, they were arrested at the next house.
6. In the case of a hit and run accident, a Dali watcher spotted the offender and he was arrested in minutes.
7. After a specific message for a suspicious car, our Dali volunteer gave information t the Police and, as a result of this very simple action, a gang of 6 people that have performed over 56 thefts of jewellery all over Cyprus, were arrested. The Police were after them for 3 years. With our programme, we found them n 24 hours. THIS IS THE RESULT OF GOOD COOPERATION.
Why is it Successful?
1. It is simple and fast. Everybody can easily help [I have even sent a message while in Africa for other humanitarian work]
2. It is voluntary. No money is involved to create complications.
3. The members are also connected to each other in other voluntary activities, ie charity, animal care, theatre, dancing, music, etc. People doing charity work joined the programme very easily. We help people in need in Cyprus and abroad. These activities bond people together.
4. The good training by the Police has helped the watchers to spot the problem easily, take the right action, protect themselves and their properties and also to advise others to do the same.
5. The large number of Neighbourhood Watchers covers a large area. In a town of 3500 houses when we have 4500 volunteers that is 4500 pairs of eyes looking so it is very difficult for bad things to happen without being noticed. Also the important messages are easily distributed all over the town very quickly.
6. Posting the Neighbourhood Watch signs helps to bring the neighbourhood together to fight crime and also to let potential burglars know that the community is on alert and that they will be caught.
Statistics
With the activation of the programme we have reduced crime by 60% in our town
What next – what will follow?
We aim for a friendly neighbourhood where everybody knows each other and can help each other if necessary [like the good old times in our villages].
To perform safety walks to spot any suspicious situations or anyone needing humanitarian aid.
To create support groups that will bring the people together and help each other. The support groups will be in the medical field, social, charity, etc.
We are now spreading this programme all over the country. We have been invited by many towns and villages all over Cyprus to help them start Neighbourhood Watch programmes. At some stage we will have a network all over the country. The Police will then forward the relevant messages of one town to the other.
We want to be SAFE and FEEL SAFE. Feeling safe is more important. When we FEEL SAFE our heart opens and we love everybody and we become a big family, and the world becomes a safer place. We are always ready to learn more.
Thank you. Stavros Neofytou, Volunteer Coordinator of the town of Dali.
Presentation by Mr Christoforos Hangoudis, Head of Crime Prevention
The problem of burglary is increased when the level of security is low. Burglars seek and find easy targets. If you do nothing you are the perfect victim criminals are looking for. Everybody is a possible target.
We should be concerned about crime BEFORE rather than AFTER it has been committed and look at
- Desire/motivation
- Ability / means / instruments / tools
- Easy target / opportunity
- Profit
- Chance of getting arrested
TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT!
Initially the media cover in Cyprus was against the programme. Now we have 150 communities involved, 64,800 watchers and 44 schemes in progress of being set up. Now the media is supporting the programme.
Crime Prevention strategy is to instruct householders in crime prevention, make the property less inviting to criminals, less desirable for thieves, and the homeowners alert to suspicious activity.
Where a community reports suspicious activity they should not take the law into their own hands, nor should they take any personal risk to prevent a crime.
Responsibility for apprehending criminals lies with the Police.
Neighbourhood Watch Programme:
Raising awareness among the public and getting a commitment to participate.
Practical support from the local authority
Close cooperation with the Police
To raise awareness among the public regarding the issues of crime prevention and security
Strengthen cooperation with the publicIncrease the feeling of security among residents and reduction in crime
We all need to be alert and be the eyes and ears of the Police.
Be on alert for unusual/suspicious behaviour
Make it difficult for a thief to get inside your home or property
Keep a trusted neighbour informed if the house is unoccupied
Look after a neighbour’s house when they are away
Attend local meetings arranged by the co-ordinator
Role of the co-ordinator:
Liaison with the Police and members of the Neighbourhood Watch group
Organise and arrange Neighbourhood Watch meetings
Maintain day to day contact with the Police
Initiating projects to enhance the scheme
Recruit new members to the scheme
Telephone Nos:
Less urgent matters – Paphos Police Station – 26 806506
Cyprus Police Citizens Helpline – 1460
Crime in progress or suspicious activity – 112
Emergency – if in doubt – 112
If you see suspicious activity:
- Remain calm
- Stay where you are
- DO NOT approach the culprits
- Call the Police
- Continue to watch
The Police prefer to be called even if you are not sure if the activity is suspicious or not.
When you call, please have the following information to hand:
Description of a suspect vehicle
- Car, van, lorry, bike
- Make and model
- Colour
- Body type
- Registration no
- Direction of travel
- Damage on the vehicle
- Logos on the vehicle
- Any other details which could be useful
Description of a Suspect
- Male or female
- Face – long, thin, moustache, beard
- Colour of skin
- Scars, tattoos
- Mouth
- Eyes
- Age
- Weight or build
- Height
- Hair colour, length, whether straight or curly, etc
- Dress – description of clothing worn
- Language spoken
The Police need the cooperation of the public – without this any measure they take will not be enough to achieve the desired results. The Police seek close cooperation with citizens for essential crime prevention.
As a result of questions the following tips were given:
- Empty houses – know your neighbour and keep an eye out
- Cameras – legal if on your property and covering your own area only. They should not oversee anyone else’s property
- Empty houses – remove flyers. Close bin house doors
- Water plants
- Put light on in properties
- Close / open curtains as if there is occupancy
How far can you defend your property? If the criminal has a stick and you have a gun there is an imbalance and you have to be very careful.
Are there times when break-ins are predominant so patrols can be done? There are no specific times or days of the week.
Can we be assured that the Police will come out and also be able to find our properties? The Police confirmed that they would attend and that whilst not all cars have GPS, they do have detailed street maps/information.
Street lighting is important – report faulty lights to the Electricity Authority
Sensor lights are helpful
Police patrols make a difference
When asked how many Police patrols were carried out in this area the answer was that the Police are short staffed and the patrols are insufficient.
There was also an offer from a Stephanie resident who was a serving Police officer in the UK for 30 years, 15 of which he was involved in Community Safety and Crime Reduction.
Therefore he can offer advice on domestic security, business and commercial security, personal security, vehicle security and community design liaison. As well as this he has a good knowledge of alarm and CCTV.
He is quite happy to advise on any of the above, but also carry out domestic security surveys. He is quite happy to do this without any charge.
Anyone interested is please asked to contact Cathi on toffee@primehome.com in the first instance.
What do you do now?
Register at the end of the meeting, or at Tala Council office. You will need to advise your name, address, mobile no and email address.
The Council now has an SMS system dedicated to the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Those registering are being entered onto the system and a contact SMS will follow shortly.
If you spot suspicious activity please contact the Police. Please also separately advise either Val Potter, Jean Goldsmith and/or Cathi Delaney so that they can issue emails out to residents [and Cathi will put Security alerts onto www.talanews.blogspot.com].
Kayıtlar
Yorumlar
Yorum Gönder