Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter April 2004 Area LTB1 Bridle Estate (NHW82)

March Meeting, Tips From a Taxi Driver, Police Concert, Spiked Drinks, Police Crime Report.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 2nd April 2004 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch Area LTB1, Bridle Estate.

Area Coordinators Carmen Cook 5134 1920, Val. Bartholomeusz 5133 9685.

Next Meeting

When: Monday 19th of April 2004.

Time: 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Salvation Army Hall,

Bridle Road, Morwell.

The March Meeting:

The March NHW meeting was well attended, and residents were able to express their concerns regarding security in the area to Sgt. Dave Watson. A number of matters were raised with Sgt. Watson. The Police have a Complaints Folder to record incidents reported by residents. All residents are requested to report any unusual or suspicious behaviour immediately to the Police by ringing 000 (triple zero).

Tips From a Taxi Driver:

When travelling, it might be wise not to have your name and address visible, on your baggage while going away.

"I drive a taxi, and many times I notice the address tag clearly showing the name and address of the owner. If I can notice it, so can someone with evil intent. It would be so easy for a criminal to watch at an airport or railway station etc, and obtain addresses of travellers who will be away from home. The criminal will know there is a good possibility that the houses at these addresses will be unoccupied for a period of time.

In one funny incident, I was waiting for a green light at a city intersection and a bloke with a back-pack was leaning against a tram safety rail. I called out, ‘G’day John Smith.’ He wheeled around quickly, looked at me and in a strong English accent said, ‘Where do we know each other from?’ ‘Don’t you remember the pub, just around the corner from Oak Lane, where we had a good many beers’. Astounded he replied, ‘I live in Oak Lane, but I don’t remember you’. I then told him I read all the information on his luggage tag dangling less than a foot away from my eyes. He laughed and I then suggested that he should hide the tag". (From NHW Sentinel)

Recently a Bendigo NHW Area had a substantial increase in residential burglaries in the monthly crime rate. It was decided to print a flier and do a "letter box drop" of the NHW zone.

The message was designed to alert residents to the situation, encourage better home security, more vigilance in identifying suspicious behaviour, and reporting it immediately to the Police.

As a result additional information was passed on to the Bendigo Criminal Investigation Unit, who apprehended the offender with the proceeds of his last burglary still in his backpack. He was charged with nine residential burglaries and a large amount of stolen property was located and returned to the owners.

The Police Band Concert will be held on Wednesday 23rd of June in Kernot Hall at 7:30pm The program will include the world famous Victoria Police Pipe Band. Tickets are $6.00 each and will be available soon

Spiked Drinks:

Beware of "spiked" drinks at parties, pubs, clubs and other social venues. There have been instances of drinks being tampered with in Gippsland at social gatherings. The usual targets are female. If you have been to a party and suddenly felt nauseous, or there was a period where you cannot remember anything, you could have been the victim of a spiked drink. Never leave a drink unattended. Never accept a drink from anyone you do not know well. If you must leave a drink it is best finish it off first, or leave it with someone who can be trusted absolutely. If you think you have been a victim of a spiked drink, or an attempt has been made to interfere with your drink, or you see someone else’s drink being contaminated report the matter to the police.

Police Crime Report for NHW Area LTB1 Bridle Estate March 2004

Due To Privacy Considerations NOT ALL Offences For This Area Are Listed

• 27/2/2004 The Avenue Property damage.
• 28/2/2004 Ash Street Attempted burglary at a house.
• 28/2/2004 Wonga Court Burglary at a flat.
• 5/3/2004 Gillie Crescent Offender charged with handling stolen goods.
• 10/3/2004 The Avenue Theft of a motor vehicle.
• 10/3/2004 The Avenue Property damage.
• 10/3/2004 The Avenue Theft from a residence.
• 11/3/2004 Peter Street Arson.
• 12/3/2004 The Boulevard Theft of a motor vehicle.
• 12/3/2004 Gabo Way Burglary at a garden shed.
• 16/3/2004 Garden Street Forced entry and burglary at a factory.
• 21/3/2004 Kurt Street Burglary at a house.
• 22/3/2004 Cherry Crescent Property damage to a house.
• 22/3/2004 Chestnut Avenue Property damage to a house.

Summary Of Stolen Items

1 Cash, 3 Cigarettes/Liquor, 1 Garden Item, 1 Miscellaneous.

2 Motor Vehicles Were Stolen.

5 Offenders were processed for any reported offence in the area.

Have you remembered to check your Smoke Alarm Batteries

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au