Richmond’s Community Patrol is short of at least a dozen voluntary patrollers to help keep local communities safer at night.
Marty Price wears a lot of hats in the community, including patrol leader for the team that spends a few hours every Friday and Saturday night driving the streets of Richmond and out to Brightwater and Wakefield.
He has been part of Richmond’s community patrol for 17 years and says they have just 12 patrollers now when they need at least 25 to work in pairs and cover every weekend.
While many people think it is a role for retired people, he says it is also an ideal step for younger people considering joining the police.
“Anyone who wants to join the police can come to us as it’s a stepping stone. It gives them an insight because, if they’re 18 they don’t have life experience and so can volunteer for us for a few years before they step up to police.”
Over the years on patrol, he has informed the police of numerous drunk drivers, been first at the scene of car crashes in the middle of the night and been part of traffic control at events.
In general, it’s about keeping an eye on the community.
“We’re here for the petty crime and keeping people safe and hoping people get home safe.”
He says they work closely with the police, giving them the heads up when something looks suspicious and vice versa when the police want more eyes somewhere.
“It’s very rewarding,” Marty says. “We see all walks of life and want to help out.”
Compared to when he first began patrolling the streets, he says there are now fewer problems.
He remembers back in 2007 when there was constant damage on the streets and in the carparks plus boy racers in the town, and he says things have definitely improved.
He attributes much of that to more cameras and lighting on the streets and in the carparks, partly due to recommendations from the community patrol.
Just providing extra eyes on the streets has also had an impact.
“I think we have made a difference to the community and improved safety. It’s still happening, but not as much.”
These days, they are more likely to see people searching through the Salvation Army Family Store bins and the patrol team will often stop and check on those people who are going through a tough time.
He saw just how hard it is for some families when the community went through the Covid-19 lockdowns and the patrol delivered up to 1,100 food parcels a day for a food charity.
All volunteer patrollers are vetted and trained in health and safety, being an effective patroller, dealing with the public and traffic, plus simply learning how to be watchful in the community.
Each patroller usually heads out one night every four to six weeks to keep the community safer.
To volunteer or find out more information, pop into the Richmond Police Station or email the Community Patrol Team at Richmond@cpnz.org.nz
