Neighbourhood Support Community Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE...

Personal Safety

111 TXT

Library News

ISSUE 56 NOVEMBER 2017 CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

Safer Communities Together

Visit www.partyregister.co.nz for some helpful advice on registering your party, how to stop gate-crashers and trespass a person off your property, managing noise, drunk people, and underage drinking, along with other information on host responsibility.

Be prepared for your host responsibility obligations!Just one month until Christmas and the party season.If you are having a party you want to have fun, but you’ll want to avoid trouble as well. As a host it is your responsibility to make sure drinking doesn’t get out of hand and your party doesn’t get out of control. Always provide food for your guests if they are drinking.

Safer Communities Together

PERSONAL SAFETY

You will probably never have a prowler on your property or face an intruder in your house, but you should have a plan just in case.

If you wake and find an INTRUDER in your home...

If you arrive home and think there’s a BURGLAR inside your house…

To keep yourself safe at homeIf you suspect there is a PROWLER outside...

• Get out if you can.• Dial 111 and ask for the Police.• Listen to what the Police tell you.• If you have to act – yell or

scream! Blow a whistle.• Don’t try and catch the intruder

or block their escape.

• Dial 111 and ask for the Police.• Don’t go inside.• Go to a safe place and wait

for the Police.

• Install a wide-angle door viewer so you can see who is at your door.

• Keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains at night.

• Invest in quality, secure locks.• If you live alone, don’t advertise

the fact. For example keep your answerphone message generic, such as “No one is available to take your call”, rather than “I can’t take your call”.

• Dial 111 and ask for the Police.• Listen to what the Police tell you.• If you are able, turn ON all

outside lights.• Turn OFF all inside lights.• Make a loud noise to frighten

the prowler away and alert your neighbours.

Safer Communities Together

There are a number of other agencies you can contact for help and advice such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and Age Concern. One of the best actions you can take to make your place safer is to get to know your neighbours.

FOR OLDER PEOPLEAs an older person, there are a number of things you can do to keep yourself secure at home. Remember that New Zealand is a relatively safe place to live and it is unlikely that you will ever have an intruder. If you have crime or safety concerns about your neighbourhood, then you should get in touch with your local Police who will be happy to discuss these with you.

IF YOU ARE CHEATED, TELL THE POLICE. You could help the Police catch the criminal and stop other people from being cheated.If you suspect an older person is being cheated or abused, contact your Community Constable or local Police, Age Concern or Citizens Advice Bureau for advice.

THINK AHEAD

• Don’t open the door to strangers. Install a peephole in your door. If you don’t know someone, keep the door closed.

• Have a phone by your bed.• Make an arrangement with a neighbour to

phone or visit you if your curtains are still drawn after a certain time in the morning.

• Have a personal or medical alarm that you can press in an emergency.

• Never tell someone that you are alone in the house.

DON’T BE TRICKED

• If someone you don’t know asks to make a phone call from your home, get the phone number and offer to make the call yourself. They don’t need to enter your home and you don’t need to open the door.

• Never do business with strangers who come to the door, phone you or contact you via email.

• Never talk to strangers about your financial affairs.

• Never give out your name and address or chat if you receive a wrong number phone call.

• Use tried and trusted tradespeople. Get several quotes. Ask your family to recommend someone, or contact Age Concern.

KEEP SAFE BY KNOWING YOUR NEIGHBOURS

For more information, please contact:John DawsonNeighbourhood SupportHastings District CouncilPhone: (06) 871 5000Email: johnd@hdc.govt.nzVisit us on the web at:www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/community-safety

Safer Communities Together

LIBRARY NEWS

Do you find it hard to make phone calls because of a hearing or speech problem?Here’s how to register for the 111 TXT service so you can contact Fire, Ambulance or Police in an emergency.1. Go to www.police.govt.nz/txt1112. Go to ‘How to Register’ and follow the

four steps.3. Wait for a confirmation text from Police.

Then you can text 111 in an emergency.You MUST register for the 111 TXT service. Only texts from mobile phone numbers registered on the Police website will get through.Remember: Sometimes there are delays on the phone network. If you text 111 and don’t get a response within 2 minutes, then contact 111 a different way.HOW DO I REGISTER IF I DON’T HAVE A COMPUTER?Contact Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand, the Hearing Association, the National Foundation for the Deaf, or the support organisation you deal with the most often and ask them to help you register.FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:www.police.govt.nz/txt111

Hastings District Libraries will be launching a new literacy programme this summer designed with a modern approach to engage children in 2017. The programme will be different from what we’ve done in previous years and will take a fresh approach to children’s literacy and learning needs.

The programme on offer will be aimed at 5-12-year-olds to support kid’s learning and discovery through fun and innovative challenges and activities.

Literacy is critical in helping us make sense of our world - in modern times these programmes are designed to take into account, and be flexible with, different types of literacy needs and learning styles. Children will be encouraged first and foremost to have fun!

While there will always be the traditional reading element to our programmes we will now also focus on other non-traditional forms of literacy and learning styles such as visual, hands on and digital.

An emergency text service for those who have difficulty hearing or talking on the phone.

111 TXT

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT HASINGS DISTRICT LIBRARY