New wheels for community patrol

The continued strong support of Flaxmere’s Trust House Foundation means the Flaxmere Community Patrol is now even more visible on the streets.

A grant of $34,000 from the trust has enabled the purchase of a nearly new white vehicle, dressed in flash new livery matching Community Patrols NZ cars across New Zealand.

Flaxmere is one four Community Patrol teams in the district, alongside Hastings, Cape Coast and Havelock North.

Flaxmere Community Patrol leader Jane Goodacre said having the backing of the Trust was “incredibly important” to the team of about 20 volunteers.

“That financial support enables us to be out in the community, helping to keep everyone safe.”

Volunteers are rostered on to cruise the suburb’s streets for three to four hours on Friday and Saturday nights, and are working on increasing day patrols. They report any suspicious activity to police.

“We don’t jump in, but we have a direct line to police who follow up on our reports,” said Mrs Goodacre.

“Often though, it’s really just about being a deterrent; so those thinking about doing something they shouldn’t know there are people keeping their eyes and ears out for the community.”

Trust House Foundation trustee Bert Lincoln, a Flaxmere resident of 53 years, says the trust understands how important it is that people feel safe.

“We support a great number of excellent initiatives in Flaxmere, and this is one of our very important ones.”

Mrs Goodacre also thanked Bayswater Vehicles. “We appreciated that they were very good to deal throughout the purchasing of the vehicle and assisted with obtaining the required signwriting.”

In the picture: Flaxmere’s new community patrol car is ready to roll. Celebrating its arrival are, from left: Flaxmere Community Patrol secretary Barry Pulford, Flaxmere community constable Trevor Baker, Bayswater Vehicles’ Ivan van der Westhuizen, Flaxmere Community Patrol leader Jane Goodacre, and Trust House Foundation trustee Bert Lincoln