FAQ

Questions

Answers

  • How do I advertise in Neighbourhood Watch?

    How can I advertise in the Sentinel?

    Countrywide Media Pty Ltd is appointed by Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Inc. as the authorised publisher of Sentinel.

    All advertising in the Neighbourhood Watch Vic Inc. quarterly journal is handled by Countrywide Media Pty Ltd.

    You may already have received a phone call from them in relation to advertising in the Sentinel. This is normal. Advertising in the Sentinel is actively solicited and is necessary in order to defray printing, distribution and incidental costs incurred in getting the Sentinel out to you.

    This advertising is different to the smaller advertising that you see in your local area newsletters. For this you need to contact your local Area Coordinator who can furnish you with appropriate contact details of the Newsletter Editor.

    All enquiries re advertising in the Sentinel are to be directed to the official, authorised publishers,

    Justin Sadler
    Countrywide Media Pty Ltd,
    Level 2,
    673 Bourke Street,
    MELBOURNE.

    Postal:
    GPO Box 2466V,
    MELBPOURNE, 3001

    Ph: (03) 9937 0200
    Fax: (03) 9937 0201

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  • How do I order Street Signage?

    Street Signs - Order form Information August 2009

    When ordering street signs our preferred supplier is De Neefe Signs.

    PS NW300 - 300mm X 450mm (standard) $15.95
    PSNW450 450mm X 600mm (large) $17.20
    PSNW 600mm X 800mm (extra large) $32.65
    These prices are per De Neefe’s quote of: 31/7/09

     

    Brackets, poles, bolts etc. can also be ordered.
    ** Note: some councils supply brackets, poles, bolts at no cost**

     

    Prices do not include GST or freight. 
    You can pick up goods from the supplier. Please indicate this at time of your order.
    Prices are subject to change. Please check prices with De Neefe Signs at time of order.

    To Order Street Signs

    1. Email Neighbourhood Watch Vic Inc Treasurer, John Lagzdins at lagzdins@melbpc.org.au advise him of supplier, quantity, cost and delivery instructions plus any other information relevant to raising a purchase order.
    2. You will then receive an internal purchase order number.
    3. Record purchase order number.
    4. Contact DeNeefe Signs via phone/fax/email. Place your order, referring to NHW’s quoted prices (above). Make sure that your purchase order number will be recorded on the invoice. Don’t forget about delivery cost and any possible extras - eg brackets etc.,
    5. There are two sets of information that you will need to provide: - Account Details and Delivery Details.
    6. Account Details are: Neighbourhood Watch Vic Inc
                                           C/o State Treasurer
                                           119 Gordon Street
                                           Balwyn Vic 3103
                                           Purchase Order Number (as advised by Treasurer)
    7. Delivery Details are: For example…
                                           Neighbourhood Watch
                                           S/C XXXXXXXXXXXXX
                                           Benalla Police Station
                                           Bridge Street
                                           Benalla 3672
                                           The account will be paid NHW Vic Inc.
    8. NHW will forward a copy of De Neefe’s Invoice to you, the purchaser. Within fourteen days send a cheque made out to 'Neighbourhood Watch Victoria' for the invoice total less the GST. (the net price of the goods)
      Remit payment to: NHW Victoria Inc., c/o.
                                        State Treasurer
                                        John Lagzdins
                                        119 Gordon Street
                                        BALWYN VIC 3103

    Thank you.

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  • How does a Neighbourhood Watch Area start?

    To start an Area, several requirements must be met that include the size and population of the proposed area. Other factors such as the crime rate and community interest in the area are also considered by the District Neighbourhood Watch Police Coordinator before starting an Area.

    Neighbourhood Watch Manual entry "Area Public Launch Meeting

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  • I want to be involved but haven't got much time. How much time do I need?

    You may wish to be involved at local, district or state level.

    Locally, there are a number of positions available where your assistance is needed. These include Zone Leaders, Area Co-ordinator, Publicity Officer/Newsletter Editor, Secretary, Treasurer or as an assistant to any one of these positions.

    The time required can be as little as a couple of hours per month. This is all the time that it takes to deliver your Zone's newsletters.

    You may wish to be more actively involved by being elected to a district position. These positions require a little more of your time but there are always others waiting to assist where possible and make your job easier.

    You may wish to assist the program by being elected to one of the Executive Positions in the State Forum.

    The State Forum meets every two months.

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  • What are the key strategies of Neighbourhood Watch?

    • Operation Identification.
    • Keeping residents informed.
    • Increasing resident's awareness and knowledge.
    • Sign posting areas.

    Neighbourhood Watch Manual entry "How does Neighbourhood Watch work?"

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  • What defines a zone?

    A Neighbourhood Watch zone is defined geographically by the Police Co-ordinator.

    There are a number of zones in every Neighbourhood Watch area.

    A metropolitan area consists of approximately 600-800 homes with the location of other existing area boundaries being taken into consideration.

    A rural area consists of between 100-150 farming properties. Some rural areas may also include small towns.

    Each area is sub-divided into smaller blocks called zones. This is to simplify the management of the area. Each zone may include up to 30 homes.

    Depending on the size and geography of the area, it is possible to have as many as 35 zones or as few as 15 zones. The number of zones depends entirely on the geography of the area and how many homes the volunteers can effectively and efficiently service.

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  • What defines an area?

    A Neighbourhood Watch area is defined geographically by the Police Co-ordinator.

    A metropolitan area usually consists of approximately 600-800 homes with the location of other existing area boundaries being taken into consideration. The area boundaries never overlap; ideally they will abut each other. Larger provincial cities will encompass areas defined as metropolitan by definition.

    A rural area consists of between 100-150 farming properties. Some rural areas may also include small towns.

    Each area is sub-divided into smaller blocks called zones to simplify the management of the area.

    Depending on the size and geography of the area, it is possible for a Neighbourhood Watch area to have as many as 35 zones or as few as 15 zones. The number of zones depends entirely on the geography of the area and how many homes the volunteers can effectively and efficiently service. Back to top

  • What is a PLO?

    A PLO (Police Liaison Officer) is nominated by your local Police Station Commander. The PLO may be permanently rostered to this role or the PLO may change each time you meet with him/her.

    The PLO is an operational police officer and can be of any rank, although generally speaking he/she is a constable, senior constable or a sergeant.

    As the title implies, your area's PLO is there to liaise with your area. The PLO's role is to attend at your area meetings and furnish appropriate crime information, general details of arrests in your area, answer your questions and discuss local non-political issues with you. He/she is an aid and a tool to be utilised to assist in the smooth running of your area.

    A clever area gets to know their PLO very well. Back to top

  • What is Neighbourhood Watch?

    Neighbourhood Watch is a community based crime prevention program that aims at reducing the incidence of preventable crime such as burglary and theft as well as promoting closer community ties.The program educates residents on security and safety and the reporting of suspicious incidents to the Police.

    Neighbourhood Watch Manual entry "What Is Neighbourhood Watch?"

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  • What is Operation Identification?

    Operation Identification or 'OP ID' is the recording of an identifying mark on your property to discourage its theft. Most items can be marked with an electric engraver. Items unsuitable for engraving can be marked with an ultraviolet pen which leaves a chemical that is visible under an Ultra-Violet (UV) Light. Items unsuitable for marking can be photographed next to a ruler or coin to show a size relationship.

    If you have a mobile phone, we do not recommend that you engrave your details into the phone as it may void the manufacturers warranty. We recommend the use of a 'UV' pen in this situation.

    In Victoria, we use our driver's licence number, (or that of a relative or friend from whom we have obtained permission) preceded by V for Victoria, eg. V 12345678. A small sticker is then placed on the item so marked as a visible deterrent to thieves.

    The engraver, UV pen and stickers are available from your Zone Representative or Area Co-ordinator. You can also purchase ultraviolet pens at major hardware stores or office suppliers. Back to top

  • What is suspicious?

    To have suspicion, you must suspect the honesty of a person, thing or act. Suspect as defined in 'The Concise Oxford Dictionary' is:

    • Have an impression of the existence or presence.
    • Believe tentatively without clear ground.
    • Be inclined to think.
    • Be inclined to mentally accuse; doubt the innocence of.
    • Doubt the genuineness or truth of.

    When a person, thing or act leaves a question mark in your mind, then it is suspicious. When it is suspicious, call the police on 000.  Back to top

  • What is the Neighbourhood Watch 'Personal Accident Insurance'?

    This is the Insurance Policy against which you claim as a volunteer sustaining an injury while doing an authorised task for Neighbourhood Watch (eg. delivering local area newsletters). The premium is normally paid by your area direct to the insurance company. The premium is calculated by multiplying the number of volunteers by the current rate set by the insurance company. If you have twenty volunteers and the rate is $1.25 then the premium for the area $25.00. If you need to claim on this policy, see your Area Insurance Representative.

    This is not to be confused with the Public Liability Insurance Policy. Back to top

  • What is the 'Public Liability Insurance'?

    This insurance protects the program against any person who attends an authorised NHW function (eg. Family Day), who sustains an injury and subsequently sues Neighbourhood Watch.

    The Board of Management negotiate this contract of insurance directly with an insurer.

    Currently it covers us for up to $20M.

    This insurance coverage should not be confused with the Personal Accident Insurance policy.

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  • What number should I call the Police?

    For general queries and non-urgent assistance please call your local Police Station. For emergenccall the Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade on "000". Back to top

  • What other resources are available to assist us?

    There are numerous organisations, agencies, government and semi-government bodies at our disposal. It is only a matter of contacting them with a request. The list which follows should not to be taken as being complete. Although we will endeavour to keep it up-to-date and relevant, we realise that we will never be able to supply you with a complete list.

    • Amusement Centre Accord
    • Australian Drug Foundation
    • Community Road Safety Councils Victoria
    • Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria
    • Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs)
    • Information Victoria National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy. (Resource for professionals)
    • Police Community Consultative Committees (PCCCs)
    • Road Trauma Support Team Inc., Victoria
    • School Resource Officers (SROs)
    • Victims Referral & Assistance Service (VRAS)
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  • When should I call the Police?

    Call the Police whenever you see a crime being committed or when you believe that a crime will soon be committed due to something suspicious happening. It may be as simple as a person sitting in a car in the street for some time. It is much better for the Police to investigate and ascertain that a crime has not been committed, than for your neighbour to be the victim of a crime. Back to top

  • Where can I obtain an engraver or ultraviolet marking pen?

    Engravers and Ultraviolet Markers can be obtained from larger Hardware Stores and your local Good Guys Store. The Ultraviolet Markers are also available from larger Newsagencies or Office Suppliers. Your local Neighbourhood Watch Police Co-ordinator can also assist you to locate a nearby supplier of these items. Back to top

  • Where is Neighbourhood Watch?

    Neighbourhood Watch can operate anywhere in Victoria that is shown to have a need for the program. The program operates within a local community where there is a demonstrated community desire to undertake the program. 50% of Victoria is already covered by the Neighbourhood Watch Program. Back to top

  • Why and when was Neighbourhood Watch created?

    Neighbourhood Watch in Victoria was started when it was realised that the Police alone could not control the rising crime rate, in particular burglary and related thefts. The support of the public was sought to help reduce crimes such as burglary and theft which resulted in a pilot area opened in 1983 in Kananook, a suburb of Frankston.

    The program has been so successful in preventing crime that there are now 1,300 Neighbourhood Watch areas servicing both city and rural locations and totalling more than 900,000 households. 2.8 million people in Victoria live in Neighbourhood Watch areas which is approximately half the population.

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