From State Office

Hello Neighbourhood Watchers, it is with pride that I am able to provide feedback on the recent state travel undertaken by state office staff. It is abundantly clear that Neighbourhood Watch is not only alive and well in our communities, but is thriving.

State Travel

This travel was not only an opportunity to admire and take in our beautiful state, but also provided opportunities to conduct Community Forums. Rodney and I together with Bronwyn Evans from the Queensland Police Service’s Review and Evaluation Unit facilitated the Community Forums in Gympie, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Innisfail, Cairns, Gladstone, Maroochydore and Brisbane. All Community Forums were very well attended by Neighbourhood Watchers and police.

As part of the Neighbourhood Watch evaluation, Bronwyn was able to gain valuable feedback from members relating to: (1) What do you get out of Neighbourhood Watch?; (2) What do you believe the Neighbourhood Watch community get out of Neighbourhood Watch?; (3) What would you like to get out of Neighbourhood Watch?; and (4) What do you believe that the Neighbourhood Watch community would like to get out of Neighbourhood Watch?

Attendees were not shy, and were enthusiastic in their responses to the questions. Currently relevant members of the Queensland Police Service are being interviewed by way of an online forum, and these responses along with the feedback obtained from the Community Forums will be included in the final report due early 2006.

The state travel also provided opportunities to meet with District Officers, Regional and District Crime Prevention Coordinators and Officers in Charge of local stations. Further, we were able to meet with partners from Emergency Services in relation to the Community Safety Project. State travel of this nature requires lots of planning and commitment and on behalf of Rodney and Bronwyn, I would like to thank all persons that made the necessary arrangements for the Community Forums. We would especially like to thank all the civilian Neighbourhood Watchers that took the time, and made the effort to attend the Community Forums. It is because of committed members such as yourselves, that Neighbourhood Watch is indeed going from strength to strength.