Why Does Neighbourhood Watch Keep Functioning?
some thoughts by long time Area Co-ordinator Geo Thorpe.

It is pertinent to ask some questions about N.H.W.

Has it served its intended purpose in our town, is it working now in a useful and purposeful manner, and what of the future, is there a need for a watchdog organisation to assist the Police Service to minimise the occurrence of crime in our area?  Today more than any time in the past NHW has a growing important task in front of it but apathy of the community at times makes it difficult for those who do "keep the flag flying".

Well, N.H.W. is all about those people who live in the community and answer "Yes" to the three questions above.   It is therefore also pertinent to ask some questions about those people who share those views.

Have you ever wondered what keeps N.H.W. on the go, or perhaps more importantly, why do so many people bother to keep the organisation on its feet?    Well, you could ask someone whose home has just been burgled, but they'd probably ask "What use is N.H.W.", the thieves still carry out their unwanted activities."

Alternatively, you could ask the great majority of the residents of our town and I'm sure they'd tell you that N.H.W. gives them a good feeling.    They'd say that they like the way community members are caring for them.  It's a bit like having a Rottweiler in the back yard, the presence of this dog makes the owner feel safe from the attention of unwanted visitors!

To answer the first question about maintaining N.H.W. as a viable and useful organisation.

Well, there is a Headquarters in Brisbane which exercises supervision over N.H.W. Statewide, and there are local Regional and District Supervisors to whom we turn when problems confront us.

However, the area which is of most concern to us is our own N.H.W. area which stretches from Mary Cairncross Corner in the east to Kenilworth Road in the west, and from Mountain View Road in the south towards Lake Baroon in the north.   In that area there are well over 1200 homes and 100 N.H.W. Co-ordinators who are our closest contact with householders.   The nature of their job should be seen as being the most important function in our N.H.W. operation.

N.H.W depends on the Block Co-ordinators to engender support for N.H.W. within the community for it is the neighbours and the surrounding householders who do the watching and caring.

The second question about the people who keep N.H.W. on its feet is easily answered by those of us who have been involved in an official capacity with N.H.W. for some years now.   We maintain our enthusiasm for the job because we believe that the benefits and pleasures of living in a small rural community are too precious to squander.    We see and hear of other communities where the people have to endure petty and sometimes serious crimes in their streets and, worse still, in their homes.   This anti-social behaviour enhances our determination to do all in our power to keep our area as safe to live in as possible.   We believe that in this respect we have the backing of most, if not all, of the population of our town.

We do not want to see our local people living in homes that are barred and fortified like Fort Knox, but we do want them to adopt sensible practices for their personal and home security.   Those who are unsure about these matters, or who have made no preparations regarding ways to summon help if and when it is needed, should attend regular N.H.W. General Meetings where information on these and related subjects is readily available.

I hope we have shown that N.H.W. is about people, their motivation and the ways in which that motivation manifests itself.   Please be aware that your N.H.W. Co-ordinators are doing a job because they believe that what they are doing is for the betterment of the community.   The co-operation of the community is therefore essential to make the system work. 

Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers

Volunteers for N.H.W. activities are often needed and it is essential that we regard the well-being of our workers as being as important as the safety of our householders.

Our N.H.W. Co-ordinators have rights and they should expect that their duties will be an exciting, enjoyable and satisfying experience.   They should expect to be accepted as people of worth with skills to offer, and to receive training for the job they are asked to do.

They should receive support and obtain advice from those in senior positions, and likewise should have their voice heard when they are able to offer ideas to improve the planning and operation of a N.H.W. program.

Our N.H.W. workers also have responsibilities and these include acceptance of others, to be honest and reliable and to maintain confidentiality, to carry out the requirements of the task in hand and to conform to the philosophy of the Organisation.

For all this work there are rewards, and these vary according to the expectations of the individual.    One benefit may be better acquaintance with the community, or the satisfaction of helping others.   Some may find a new purpose in life, enjoy meeting new people and sharing new experiences, others will appreciate the increase in confidence and self-esteem.   Our volunteers may use initiative and develop new ways of getting the N.H.W. message across, thus providing greater assistance to more householders.

Because our volunteers are the life of the N.H.W. Organisation, we must ensure that they see their work as a satisfying experience.   We must therefore all work towards maintaining our N.H.W. program at top level so our Organisation may be strong and very long-lasting.

Happy Easter .....Come home safe

Don't leave it to somebody else  ....if you do it will never get done.