Published Saturday, 04 October, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
National Neighbourhood Watch Day celebrates 20 years of community safety
Police Minister Judy Spence is encouraging Queenslanders to get involved in local Neighbourhood Watch activities, as Australia celebrates National Neighbourhood Watch Day today.
Ms Spence said: “Neighbourhood Watch is an excellent program that allows communities to get involved in crime prevention through partnerships with local police.
“National Neighbourhood Watch Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness about Neighbourhood Watch and increase support at a local level, so it can continue to achieve such great outcomes.
“For the past 20 years the Neighbourhood Watch program has given Queenslanders an opportunity to play their part in improving personal safety, household security, and reducing crime and the fear of crime in their own communities.
“There are currently 547 neighbourhood watch groups in the state, covering residential, commercial and rural properties and marine locations throughout Queensland.
“In the past seven years alone, 149 groups have formed and 75 schools have implemented the junior Neighbourhood Watch program Watch Out!
“National Neighbourhood Watch Day gives the community the chance to celebrate the achievements of this program over the past 20 years.”
Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Batterham from the Queensland Police Service Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch said: “To assist promotion of National Neighbourhood Watch Day, the NHW state office in Queensland has allocated bursaries from sponsorship funding to assist local, district and regional Neighbourhood Watch areas in coordinating various activities.
“More than 500 groups of local crime fighters will celebrate their achievements in crime prevention with community events throughout Queensland.”
Ms Spence said the Bligh Government is committed to supporting safe and caring communities for Tomorrow’s Queensland, and the Neighbourhood Watch program plays an important role in achieving this goal.
“Last year I commissioned a community review of the program, to ensure that all Neighbourhood Watch areas across Queensland keep pace with our changing society, and remain relevant and contemporary.
“In April I was pleased to announce a new sponsorship agreement with Suncorp, including a $20 million commitment to provide public liability insurance police for all Neighbourhood Watch Groups in Queensland for the next 3 years.
“This new sponsorship agreement, along with the ongoing commitment from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) to provide $50,000 a year in sponsorship for the next 3 years, provides a platform for Neighbourhood Watch to move into the 21st Century.”
For further information contact the Neighbourhood Watch State Office on 3234 2104 or visit the Neighbourhood Watch website at: www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/crimePrevention/nhw/innhw/
Media Contact: Minister’s Office: 3239 6172 Police Media: 3015 2444
Ms Spence said: “Neighbourhood Watch is an excellent program that allows communities to get involved in crime prevention through partnerships with local police.
“National Neighbourhood Watch Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness about Neighbourhood Watch and increase support at a local level, so it can continue to achieve such great outcomes.
“For the past 20 years the Neighbourhood Watch program has given Queenslanders an opportunity to play their part in improving personal safety, household security, and reducing crime and the fear of crime in their own communities.
“There are currently 547 neighbourhood watch groups in the state, covering residential, commercial and rural properties and marine locations throughout Queensland.
“In the past seven years alone, 149 groups have formed and 75 schools have implemented the junior Neighbourhood Watch program Watch Out!
“National Neighbourhood Watch Day gives the community the chance to celebrate the achievements of this program over the past 20 years.”
Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Batterham from the Queensland Police Service Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch said: “To assist promotion of National Neighbourhood Watch Day, the NHW state office in Queensland has allocated bursaries from sponsorship funding to assist local, district and regional Neighbourhood Watch areas in coordinating various activities.
“More than 500 groups of local crime fighters will celebrate their achievements in crime prevention with community events throughout Queensland.”
Ms Spence said the Bligh Government is committed to supporting safe and caring communities for Tomorrow’s Queensland, and the Neighbourhood Watch program plays an important role in achieving this goal.
“Last year I commissioned a community review of the program, to ensure that all Neighbourhood Watch areas across Queensland keep pace with our changing society, and remain relevant and contemporary.
“In April I was pleased to announce a new sponsorship agreement with Suncorp, including a $20 million commitment to provide public liability insurance police for all Neighbourhood Watch Groups in Queensland for the next 3 years.
“This new sponsorship agreement, along with the ongoing commitment from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) to provide $50,000 a year in sponsorship for the next 3 years, provides a platform for Neighbourhood Watch to move into the 21st Century.”
For further information contact the Neighbourhood Watch State Office on 3234 2104 or visit the Neighbourhood Watch website at: www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/crimePrevention/nhw/innhw/
Media Contact: Minister’s Office: 3239 6172 Police Media: 3015 2444