From Raglan Neighbourhood Support Coordinator
What great summer weather we have been experiencing lately. Please be conscious of the needs of those elders and people who have chronic illnesses in your neighbourhoods as the heat effects them more than the majority of folks. The effect heat on animals can be fatal. Please make sure they have lots of shade and air from the sun and access to lots of water. If you have to leave your dogs in a car for a few minutes at the shops ensure windows are open and try for full shade. Please be EXTRA careful when leaving your driveway in a vehicle, and parents please make sure your children are educated on the use of footpaths and their dangers.
Police Report for public information 8 – 30 January is as follows:
- Burglary 16th Jan : at Tohoro Close, stolen items : several wetsuits and fishing gear
- 6 Thefts
- 16th Shoplifting Four Square,
- 18th Ex-car Bridal Veil Falls = electronic gear.
- 23rd Waitetuna = Tool Box from back of vehicle.
- 23rd Ruapuke mobile phone from a rock when owner was swimming.
- 24th Inner Harbour Beach: Bag Stolen.
- 24th Wallet. Later wave card was used at BP. Seen on CCTV
- 2 Car Accidents:
- On the corner of Hills and Lorenzen Bay roads.
- One on Stewart Street when a child was struck on a footpath as a car drove slowly off property.
- 6 Domestic Violence incidents.
- Disorderly Conduct: resulting in one male being arrested.
- 2 Water rescues!
Please remember that all of the waterways in and around Raglan are dangerous especially in the 3rd and 4th tidal hours.
Neighbourhood Support : Rental Accommodation And You
People living in rental accommodation are just as much part of the community as people who own their own home. Feeling secure in rental accommodation has a lot to do with asking the right questions before signing the Tenancy Agreement. Feeling comfortable and welcome in a new neighbourhood has a lot to do with being a good neighbour.
Security : Burglars and thieves do not differentiate between rental and owner occupied dwellings. They target properties where they think they will not be detected.
A number of steps can be taken to reduce the risk of being a target for burglars and thieves:
Find out from the landlord whether the locks were changed after the previous tenant moved out.
Make sure doors, windows and other entry and exit points have working and effective catches and locks – deadlocks if possible.
Get in the habit of always locking doors and securing windows at night. When out in the garden or going out or away, do not leave a door key hidden outside – burglars know all the places to look.
Be careful not to leave valuable items on display and if possible, lock them away. Make a list of the serial numbers of items that have serial numbers and photograph other small valuable items, for example, the spines of your DVD collection. Information can be saved for free on the SNAP site.
Burglar alarms are a good deterrent but only if they are turned on when no one is home. Be careful about giving the alarm code to anyone who is not a family member. Find out whether the alarm code was changed after the last tenant moved out and change it if possible.
Insure personal belongings.
Back up valuable electronic records such as photographs and store at another place.
Keep your letterbox clear.
Good Neighbours
Take time to meet and get to know neighbours. You will feel more comfortable and neighbours will take an interest in who visits your property when you are not at home.
Introduce yourself to neighbours and let them know some basic things about yourself, who is likely to visit regularly, where you work, your partner and children’s names etc.
Be alert to the possibility that neighbours may not think your dog or cat is as loveable as you do. If you have a dog, make sure your neighbours know they can tell you if it barks a lot when you are not at home.
Keep gardens tidy and mow lawns regularly.
Put rubbish and recycling out on the correct day and do not leave it out if you missed the collection vehicle.
Respect neighbour’s property. Fences and trees are often a point of contention. If the trees on your property are getting too large and overhanging a neighbour’s property, make sure the landlord or the agent is aware of the fact.
Touch base with your neighbours regularly. Let them know if you are going to have a party. Be considerate, keep the noise down and have a reasonable cut off time.
Let your neighbours know if you are going to be away.
Make sure someone, preferably a neighbour, knows how to contact you in an emergency if you are away and will keep an eye on your place, for example, clear the letterbox.
If you experience problems with neighbours, such as noisy parties or dangerous dogs, and are unable to resolve the issue yourself, contact the local council or check their internet site.
Call 111 for immediate help in a life threatening emergency or if property is being damaged.
If you suspect criminal activity is occurring at a neighbour’s property, contact local Police at the time of the incident or report the situation anonymously through Crimestoppers 0508 555 111.
Neighbourhood Support
Neighbourhood Support groups help neighbours talk with each other, prepare for and handle emergency situations
Insurance
Insurance should not be regarded as an optional extra. Insurance protects possessions against unforeseen loss or damage and replaces or repairs whatever items are insured if lost or damaged. If the cost of insurance is an issue, have a higher excess. At least you won’t suffer a total loss.
Additional information for Student Flats or Multi-Tenanted Homes
If sharing a property with others, remember that everyone has responsibility for security. Keep your valuables secure and easily identifiable so they don’t get mixed up with others. Make sure windows and doors are closed and locked when everyone is out and that everyone who is a tenant has a key to get back in. DO NOT GIVE OUT COPIES OF KEYS TO PEOPLE NOT LIVING AT THE PROPERTY.
Keep the front door locked, even while everyone is at home. Also keep bedroom doors locked while everyone is congregating in the communal areas. Bedrooms are often at the front of a property and can be easily accessed by an intruder if the front door is inadvertently left open.
When having a party, remove all valuables from the property. It is too easy for criminals to walk in without being noticed and help themselves to mobile phones, money, jewellery etc. If you cannot remove valuables, agree on a room that can be locked securely that NO ONE will enter during the party. If living in a non-student street, please be considerate to non-student neighbours regarding noise.
Remember, the criminal element know which are student flats and that their security is often slack. Reduce the opportunity for burglary or theft. Speak with your local campus police officer or proctors office for advice on how to make your place a harder target. Ask if the flat has been burgled in the past year and if so, have the locks been changed? It is fair and reasonable to expect that locks are changed in such circumstances.
Tenancy Agreements
You need to be confident about your flatmates commitment and ability to pay if you sign the tenancy agreement, power supply agreement or SKY contract etc. Read more about Tenancy Agreements.
That is all for now. I hope that you have experienced a refreshing summer break. Look out for one another.
Arohanui
Kathy Gilbert Raglan Area Coordinator