NHW SA Watch on SA magazine Issue 17, 2019

Watch on SA Neighbourhood Watch SA Magazine Issue 17 2019

Special Halloween safety issue

New kids activities in the

Neighbourhood Watch SA a safe and connected community

IN THIS ISSUE

From the Officer in Charge Can you believe how fast this year is going? With another month passing there has been a significant change at NHW HQ. Senior Constable Julie Jones, who had taken on the role of NHW State Coordinator for the past few months, has won a promotion to another section of SA Police.

You may not be aware, but SA Police offer safety talks to school children of all year levels through our local Crime Prevention Sections, the Band of the South Australia Police and State Community Engagement Section.

These are prime opportunities to engage positively with young people During Julie’s time as NHW State and get them thinking about what it Coordinator she has been instrumental means to be safe. in reinvigorating the NHW program, not least of all producing this issue of the There’s plenty more going on at NHW Watch on SA magazine. I thank her HQ – we are working on utilising for her passion and contribution to Facebook for NHW Areas, we will be NHW and hope to fill the NHW State upgrading the NHW website to increase Coordinator position soon, so that we its usability, and we are reviewing our don’t lose any momentum. forms and guidelines to make them more user friendly for our members.

Educating people about safety and community can never start too soon, We are busily planning the next AGM and we need to work to engage our and Awards Ceremony as well as the future generations. With that in mind upcoming NHW Week (see page 3 for we are excited to offer something a little details). different for our readers this month, with a brand new, never-seen-before ‘Junior Watch Zone’ section!

From the Officer in Charge....................... 2 President’s report..................................... 2 Neighbourhood Watch Week 2019........... 3 Preventing number plate theft.................. 3 Tips for a spooktacular Halloween........ 4-5 Junior Watch Zone................................ 6-7 Halloween signs....................................... 8 Junior Watch Zone answers..................... 8 Good NHW news...................................... 9 Free food safety courses for NHW........... 9 NHW supporting our future musicians.... 10 Best in Show........................................... 10 NHW school visit.................................... 11 Have the Band at your next event.......... 11 Events calendar...................................... 12 NHW helped to Reclaim the Run............ 12

Chief Inspector Alex Zimmermann Officer in Charge State Community Engagement Section South Australia Police

President’s report This issue of Watch on SA looks a little different to previous ones, with a Halloween theme and a focus on engaging with families and younger people.

Halloween’s origins date back to ancient Celtic and pagan rituals, where people would wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Halloween as we know it these days has been growing in popularity in Australia for some time,

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owing largely to the American traditions Children and young people trick or of dressing up in scary costumes and treating should be accompanied by responsible adults, and be mindful of trick or treating. road safety. And with the potential for While Halloween is a fun tradition to trick or treaters coming to your door, celebrate, we at NHW we must also make sure no valuables are left lying acknowledge that it poses potential around. safety and security risks. It’s a good time for NHW groups to actively promote safety messages out in their Phil Tavender local community.

President Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers Association of SA Inc.

Neighbourhood Watch Week 2019 This year Neighbourhood Watch Week will run from Wednesday, 13 November until Wednesday, 20 November, coinciding with Bunnings Crime Prevention Week.

Neighbourhood Watch and SA Police will be collaborating with Bunnings stores across South Australia, with activities and initiatives promoting Neighbourhood Watch, crime prevention, and safe and connected communities.

Activities can include things like: • UV marking/engraving tools or property.

• Installing tamper-resistant number plate screws.

• Security tips and advice.

• Neighbourhood Watch information sessions.

• Handing out information and merchandise.

• BBQ fundraising.

For more information, or to find out how to get involved, please contact your local Neighbourhood Watch Area or Our hardworking Neighbourhood Watch volunteers across Bunnings store. the state have been busy planning events with their local Bunnings stores in preparation for Neighbourhood Watch Visit www.police.sa.gov.au/nhw to find your nearest NHW Week/Crime Prevention Week and we’re sure it will be a group. great success. If your NHW Area is participating, please let us know.

Preventing number plate theft Every year thousands of number plates are stolen across To find out more, see the NHW News story at South Australia. Those number plates are often then fitted www.police.sa.gov.au/nhw/preventing-number-plate-theft to other vehicles to commit crimes like petrol theft, speeding and other traffic offences, or robberies and break-ins.

To help you avoid becoming a victim of number plate theft, Neighbourhood Watch SA has partnered with the RAA and the Attorney General’s Department to offer tamper-resistant number plate screws, which can be fitted to your vehicle free of charge by an RAA Approved Repairer.

Bookings are essential, and while fitting the screws is a free service, any modifications or drilling may attract a small charge.

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get tricked this n t e ’ n e Do w o l al

H

Tips for a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween It’s that time of year again when the children of the house turn into little ghouls!

Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, with children across the state wanting to dress up in costumes and go door to door ‘trick or treating’.

Before children take to the streets, SA Police encourage parents and guardians to talk to their kids about how to stay safe while they’re out and about.

The following Halloween safety tips are to help ensure that parents and their kids have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

• Display a ‘Welcome Here’ or ‘No Thanks’ sign on your • Take extra care when crossing roads as children may

door to let trick or treaters know whether to knock or not.

If you see a ‘No Thanks’ sign, respect the wishes of that household and leave them alone (see page 8 for info). •

• When ‘trick or treating’ children should be accompanied • by a trusted, responsible person.

• Always walk, not run, while going from house to house.

• Obey traffic rules, watch out for cars, use proper road crossings where available and watch out for younger • children.

• Stay on the footpath at all times. If there is no footpath, walk single file on the right hand side of the road facing traffic.

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find it hard to see in their costume.

If using a skateboard, scooter, bike or rollerblades, a helmet must be worn.

After knocking on a door and saying ‘trick or treat’ children should stay at the front door and not enter the person’s house, even if invited inside. They should also leave immediately if asked to do so.

Be respectful of other members of the community as not everyone celebrates Halloween. Some people may be genuinely concerned by doorknockers. If you are aware of anyone like that in your neighbourhood, make sure the children know not to bother them.

• Sometimes, a person whose door is knocked either

doesn’t want to participate, or selects a trick instead of providing a treat. Any tricks must not cause harm, fear, damage or be abusive in any way.

• Parents may consider an alternative to ‘trick or treating’

by holding a Halloween party at home; that way children are supervised and still celebrating Halloween.

• If a house full of little monsters is not appealing,

neighbouring families could set up a ‘safe house’ arrangement where children are given a list of houses in the area who wish to participate, and they only go to those houses.

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Can you find the halloween words?

Costume Trick Safety Watch Spooky

Candy Treat Jeff

Help Vampire Watcher Jeff get to the ‘Trick or treaters welcome’ house safely to get some treats.

Watch out for dangerous dead-ends!

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O L L C A N D Y F Q

C F G T S C Q J Q Q

O L K S R A G G S F

S E U P V I F W U S

T J T O U T C E D L

U X K O U W G K T Q

M Y S K Z N A W A Y

E F A Y B E S T Q Q

J E F F O T Q C C D

T E L T R E A T B H

Vampire Watcher Jeff and his spooky friends are going trick or treating at houses showing the ‘Trick or treaters welcome’ sign.

Colour-in this picture to brighten their Halloween.

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Halloween signs Are you keen as a jelly bean to have a ‘scarylicious’ Not in the mood to be tricked? Download your free poster Halloween? Download your free poster welcoming the advising those little treat seekers to stay away. neighbourhood’s little monsters to eat your free treats!

These posters (and more) can be downloaded free of charge from the Halloween Resources section at www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/crime-prevention-and-security/safety-and-security-tips

O L L C A N D Y F Q

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C F G T S C Q J Q Q

O L K S R A G G S F

S E U P V I F W U S

T J T O U T C E D L

U X K O U W G K T Q

M Y S K Z N A W A Y

E F A Y B E S T Q Q

J E F F O T Q C C D

T E L T R E A T B H

Good NHW news Ben and Raelene Williams from Whyalla NHW recently spent the day with Senior Constable Keren Burke at Westland Shopping Centre in Whyalla promoting NHW and raising awareness of safety issues.

The team had a great time giving out information, flyers and free giveaways to the public. It’s always great to see NHW out in the community!

Also pictured is Ben Williams presenting Inspector Mark Hubbard from Eyre and Western Local Service Area, and Jenny Knight from the Department for Child Protection, with a cheque for $1,000 in support of ‘Operation Flinders – Whyalla Chapter’. This amount will cover the cost of hiking boots for young people attending the camp.

Great work from Neighbourhood Watch in Whyalla!

Free food safety courses for NHW Knowing how to safely handle food is paramount to enjoying any meal, from a gourmet degustation to a simple NHW BBQ in the local park. Did you know there is FREE training available to anyone who wishes to make sure they are doing things right with food, and for any of our volunteers out there who want to help out with a food-related fundraiser.

Online food safety training can be accessed free of charge through your local council’s website, along with other ‘I’m Alert’ courses which offer: • An engaging, interactive, logical and easy learning format.

• Interactive quizzes to test your knowledge.

• Printable certificate of completion.

• A notification to supervisors by email with PDF attachments.

• Email notifications for training reminders.

Safe practices are all a part of being in a safe and connected community – and what brings a community together better than a good ol’ BBQ?!

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NHW supporting our future musicians

The Band of the South Australia Police work all year round bringing music to the community. Their talent and ability to capture audience’s hearts has made their performances world renowned.

Many of our Neighbourhood Watch volunteers already know how outstanding the Band’s performances are; what our readers may not know is that the band also shares their skills with up-and-coming young musicians through the Work Experience Week program. Students from many South Australian schools join the Band for a five-day tutorial experience, culminating in a free community concert that was enjoyed by an audience of more than 300 people.

Best in Show The Band has been busy lately, with the Royal Adelaide Show coming and going for another year.

The Band kept showgoers entertained with daily performances on the main stage and around the showgrounds.

Watcher Jeff made an appearance and couldn’t resist the opportunity to join in and dance along with the Band.

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This year, Work Experience Week was sponsored by Neighbourhood Watch who provided commemorative jumpers for the students to remember their time with the Band, and a BBQ cooked by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Board of Management to finish off the week.

In line with the focus of this issue of Watch on SA magazine, Work Experience Week is a fantastic way to engage with young people and talk about safety, community and the many ways that they can contribute towards their own neighbourhoods.

NHW school visit Members of the Tea Tree Gully Vista Neighbourhood Watch Area visited the Tea Tree Gully Primary School in August with the SA Police Band to promote Neighbourhood Watch and cyber safety.

The Band performed a range of well-known tunes which had the children, teachers and parents singing and clapping along.

This was then followed by a special cyber safety message to Year 5 – 7 students which included information about how to stay safe online and the consequences of cyber bullying.

Have the Band at your next event The SA Police Band works tirelessly to build community relationships and deliver a range of crime prevention and safety messages to audiences of all ages.

The Band regularly performs at schools and other community events, and delivers messages that can be tailored to address particular issues of importance to local communities.

The Band can be contacted at sapolband@police.sa.gov.au or on 8207 4106.

To book the Band for your event please visit www.police.sa.gov.au/band

The SA Police Band performing at an event at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

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Events calendar Neighbourhood Watch AGM and Awards Ceremony

For all State Councillors, Executive Committee and NHW members Saturday, 16 November 2019 from 10:30 am.

Education Development Centre, 4 Milner Street, Hindmarsh.

Watch on SA Neighbourhood Watch SA Magazine

Neighbourhood Watch Week/Crime Prevention Week

Wednesday, 13 November 2019 – Wednesday, 20 November 2019 NHW groups will be at Bunnings stores across South Australia.

The Band of the SA Police – Christmas Concert

Thursday, 12 December 2019 at 7:30 pm. Adelaide Town Hall.

To book tickets please visit www.police.sa.gov.au/band

NHW helped to Reclaim the Run In the spirit of fostering a safe and connected community, Neighbourhood Watch and SA Police supported Hit107’s Reclaim the Run event – a free 3km run which took place in Elder Park, Adelaide on 6 June 2019.

Reclaim the Run was an initiative by Hit107’s Bec and Cosi radio show which aimed to deliver a message of solidarity to help women feel safe and confident in their neighbourhoods.

Bec and Cosi were broadcasting live from Elder Park during the run which was a great success with thousands of registered runners participating.

Neighbourhood Watch and SA Police were there with an information booth providing tips and advice about personal safety, and some free giveaways promoting Neighbourhood Watch.

State Community Engagement Section

Got an event coming up?

Editorial content

If your Neighbourhood Watch Area is planning a large event and want it promoted in this magazine, on the Facebook page or the NHW SA website, just email or call the State Community Engagement Section.

Watch on SA magazine will accept editorial from Neighbourhood Watch volunteers. Contact the State Community Engagement Section to learn more.

SA Police Headquarters 100 Angas Street Adelaide SA 5000 GPO Box 1539 Adelaide SA 5001 Phone: 7322 3298 Email: SAPOLNeighbourhoodWatch@ police.sa.gov.au Facebook: NeighbourhoodWatchSA Website: www.police.sa.gov.au/nhw