This Saturday, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown will launch the first Pasifika Community Patrol group at the Wellington Pasifika Festival.
The establishment of Pasifika patrollers is a joint project between Wellington Police, Wellington City Council and Wellington’s Pasifika communities in partnership with Community Patrol New Zealand.
Community Patrollers, working in pairs, act as ‘eyes and ears’ for Police, noting anything that could be suspicious and inform police immediately of incidents requiring urgent attention. Police also work with patrols, notifying them of suspicious activities and trouble spots they would like the patrol to keep an eye on, and events occurring in the area.
Wellington Police Area Commander, Inspector Chris Scahill said the launch of the Pasifika patrol has been based on the work of many, the strength and good will of the Pacific community and the collective desire to see less Pacific Islanders involved in crime either as an offender or as a victim in the city.
“A large amount of work was undertaken by our Community Policing team to get this project off the ground. My thanks to the team, to the community for their commitment, the council for their continued support and Community Patrols NZ who have been key in providing the structure and training of these community volunteers” says Mr Scahill.
Wellington City Mayor Celia Wade-Brown said: “It’s great to see Council, the Pacific Community, Police and Community Patrols unite for this initiative. Together we all want to keep Wellington safe. The Pasifika Festival celebrates all things Pasifika and launching this initiative here will encourage community members to get involved.”
Wellington City Councillor Paul Eagle, Chair of the council committee responsible for city safety says the initiative, part of a ‘crime-prevention first’ push, empowers Pasifika communities to prevent crime and victimisation in a culturally appropriate way. “For Pacific people, talking with someone of their own culture may just make the difference and be the support they need to make a better choice”.
A recruitment drive for volunteers started in November last year and Constable Loretta Hunt-Tevaga, Project Co-ordinator, also hopes to attract more members on Saturday.
Ms Hunt-Tevaga says we have had a great response from the community to the project and now we are looking to build our patroller numbers. Police staff and current patrollers will be at the festival on Saturday, waiting and ready to sign up new members.
“A number of our current patrollers are well thought off and respected within their communities. They know people and with their unique pacific approach, together we can make a difference with our Pacific young people, with our families and around our community “said Constable Hunt-Tevaga.
Murray Smith, Chief Executive, Community Patrols of New Zealand said “It’s a great first for CPNZ, having a Pasifika Community Patrol. It has been a pleasure to be involved in providing advice, uniforms and training for the patrollers and welcoming them into the nationwide Community Patrol family”.
The Pasifika patrollers will undertake training over the next couple of weeks in preparation for up and coming events such as the Wellington Rugby Sevens, Homegrown, Newtown Festival and the Cricket World Cup.
Captain Joe Serevi from The Salvation Army Kilbirnie, who has signed up as a patroller says that it’s important to encourage all people to keep an eye on each other, to look after all people in the village because we all have a responsibility to take care of each other.
“I’m involved to be a role model for others, to positively engage with people on the street and provide a helping hand when needed. It’s about keeping people safe.”
For more information on Community Patrols, visit: www.cpnz.org.nz.
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Issued by Mere Wilson Tuala-Fata, Senior Media Advisor, NZ Police.
