Excessive speed on roads and family harm incidents around Central Otago have kept police busy this past week.

On Wednesday, while on rural patrol in Roxburgh, police stopped a driver entering the carpark of a licensed premises, he underwent alcohol evidential tests and was issued an infringement range excess breath alcohol notice and forbidden to drive for 12 hours.

A 33-year-old Queenstown male was stopped by police on Alexandra-Fruitlands Road due to excess speed. Police also discovered the vehicle he was driving was not fitted with an alcohol interlock device which was one of the conditions for the man’s driver’s licence obligation. He was summonsed to court for driving contrary to alcohol interlock licence and his vehicle was impounded for a 28-day period.

On Saturday, Alexandra Police responded to a family harm episode in Omakau, where a 53-year-old Cromwell male was spoken to regarding his threatening behaviour and manner of driving. Enquires are continuing and anyone who witnessed this episode, please contact the Alexandra Police.    

Also, on Saturday, Alexandra Police attended a family harm episode where a Protection Order was in place. During the course of the investigation no breach of the Protection Order was established, and the 38-year-old male voluntary agreed to leave the address.

Crime Prevention:

What is the Alexandra Rural Community Patrol?

 The Alexandra Rural Community Patrol is a voluntary group of people giving their time to make their community here in Central Otago safer.

Why?

Working with CPNZ offers Police the opportunity to communicate and work consistently and safely with community patrols on a national basis rather than individually.

How and what do they do?

• work closely with local Police who provides information to help direct their patrolling,
• report any serious incident they come across and note anything that could be suspicious/relevant,
• reinforce the notion that there is something constructive members of the public can do to support their local Police to reduce crime in their communities,
• are a resource that can be utilised as part of the tasking and coordination process in appropriate situations.

Most community patrols operate throughout the week and usually for about 4 hours between 2100 and 0400 hours but patrols may operate at any hour and for any duration that suits local requirements. Patrollers always work in pairs.

Most community patrollers are willing to work extra hours if something is happening and they feel that they can make a useful contribution. Many patrollers are retired and may be available for call back at short notice to assist Police.

What equipment do they have?

Equipment carried include high visibility safety garments, torches, red torch cones, spotlights, first aid kit, amber flashing light, fire extinguisher and wet weather clothing. Some patrols carry road cones.

The Alexandra Rural Community Patrol, provide a real and positive service that not only keeps the community safe but supports the Alexandra Police when they are called out of town or tied up with other calls for service.

Police would like to remind the community to be vigilant, and to look out for one another.

We urge the community to get in touch with police if they see any suspicious or unlawful activity occurring in the area.

When a report is made, it builds a picture of where we need to be, and we need the public's help in making our community safer.

If you see suspicious or unlawful behaviour happening in our community, please contact police on 111 immediately with as much information as you can safely gather.

Non-emergencies or information reported after the fact can be provided through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking "Make a Report" or calling 105.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.