Community voice
Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch president Dawn Vernon
NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch has been going for well over 30 years in many countries throughout the world.
A community-based volunteer crime prevention and community safety organisation, we work alongside the police, council and Metro staff at many events thoughout the year handing out newsletters and talking to people about crime prevention.
It’s very strength is the fact that the volunteers who make up NHW Greater Dandenong live, socialise, shop, use public transport, have children or grandchildren who go to school, use civic facilities (such as libraries and parks) and or work in the City of Greater Dandenong.
Therefore all the members of NHW Greater Dandenong have a very strong personal interest in having the safest community in which to reside.
And like all volunteer groups, the folk who volunteer for NHW Greater Dandenong are in it because they want to be, their heart is in it and a volunteer will always “go above and beyond”.
Our volunteers take pride in raising awareness about simple ways people can protect themselves, their property and neighbourhood from crime.
One of the most common problems in Greater Dandenong is theft from unlocked cars.
The message is simple – lock it or lose it. So many people leave their cars unlocked even in their own driveway.
If you see anything suspicious in your neighbourhood ring and report it. It may be nothing but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
In one instance I noticed four people in front of my house getting in and out of their car.
They were talking on their mobile phones and looking up and down the street.
I thought they were up to no good so I called triple zero and within minutes police arrived.
It may be a car in your street that does not belong there, so always get the registration number. I nearly reported my neighbour’s friend that was staying with him for a while. LOL
My neighbours know now to let me know if any are going away and I will keep an eye on their houses.
If someone is acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood get a good description of that person and, only if safe to do so, take a picture.
NHW publishes five newsletters a year. You can find them in many shops, medical practices, clubs and places like the Drum Theatre, swimming pools and RSL and sports clubs.
This way people who are interested in getting safety hints, news on events such as a public forums can pick up a copy.
We ask that when you have finish with your newsletter you pass it on to others, this way we are getting the word out to more people.
NHW also communicates via email. We have a database of more than 1000 email addresses as well.
You can also receive the newsletter direct which is great for businesses and community groups who then print it and distribute it to employees and
members. Every little bit helps us.
We were given a grant from the Dandenong Council to have 3000 junior watch activity books printed. We gave every student a copy (Grade 3 and 4) in all 31 schools in Greater Dandenong.
Organisations are welcome to invite me to be a NHW guest speaker at their meetings.
I love sharing my knowledge of many things I have learnt about travelling on a train when you feel in danger and other tips to keep yourself safe.
For example, I see so many pedestrians wearing two ear plugs. For safety it’s
much better to only use one when walking so you are aware of who may be following you.
We hold four public forums a year, these are not boring nights but lots of fun and very informative.
Our next guest speaker is radio station 3AW’s David Mann on 19 November at Paddy O`Donoghue Centre, 18 Buckley Street, Noble Park, at 7.30pm.
If you would like to improve the City of Greater Dandenong, to make it the best place to live, to help in crime reduction, to make our streets safe and make a difference to improving our neighbourhoods, then don’t just think about it or say “why don’t the police, or the council or the authorities do something” – join your neighbours in Neighbourhood Watch Greater Dandenong and make a difference.
Contact me on 0407 325 030 or email president@nhwgreaterdandenong.org.
