ABOUT US
What is the aim of the organisation?
CommSafe was established approximately in 2006 under the name of Te Awamutu Safer Community Charitable Trust with a mission statement of “Working together throughout the Te Awamutu environs to build safer and healthier communities”.
In 2011 the trustees completed a review of the trustee’s goals and developed a vision to expand the areas of interest from more than just Te Awamutu and its environs to any area and community who could benefit from the trust’s vision.
The trustee’s, along with all the volunteer community patrollers and neighbourhood support street coordinators ensure the communities are secure and safe to the best of their abilities and the public is aware of crime occurring.
What does CommSafe do?
CommSafe has three approaches to safety in Waipa.
- Community Patrols
- Neighbourhood Support
- Monitoring CCTV
Community Patrols
Our volunteers are on duty for 4 hour shifts in which 2 trained people monitor the streets of Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, Ohaupo, Pirongia, Ngahinapouri and the rural Waipa District. Volunteers are the eyes and ears for the NZ Police while on duty.
At times the volunteers are requested to assist police with specific tasks such as maintaining a watchful eye of certain areas where there may have been an increase in crime levels. Our volunteers drive CPNZ marked vehicles. These vehicles are supplied and supported by Open Country Dairy to help keep communities safe.
Neighbourhood Support
CommSafe also has a Community Safety Officer to co-ordinate Neighbourhood Support aspect of the trust primarily in the western part of the Waipa and Otorohanga districts.
Neighbourhood Support has increased greatly over the past 10 years with now approximately 3000 households and 10,000 individuals recorded on our database system.
Our Community Safety Officer communicates by email to our database on incidences in the community provided by the public and Police. Neighbourhood Support provides safety tips and reminders with advice on how to stay safe and keep secure in your environment.
Recently there have been requests from several communities for CommSafe to assist with safety issues arising in their communities. We are currently co-ordinating new groups to help support everyone.
CCTV
Waipa District Council has installed CCTV. The initial cameras cover the primary entry / exit routes from Te Awamutu and Cambridge. Additional cameras will be installed over time.
Commsafe has been asked to manage the monitoring of the CCTV system further building their relationship with NZ Police and Waipa District Council. We train our volunteers to be competent in the use of the system and manage rostered shifts at the Te Awamutu Police Station.
Who can join CommSafe?
Any member of the public and can join CommSafe at any time for FREE.
Joining is simple by using the “Join now” button on the Website.
If you would like to contact the Community Safety Officer – Mandy Merson
Phone : 07 902 0097
Push 1 for Neighbourhood Support – Mandy
Push 2 for Community Patrols Coordinator
Push 3 for CommSafe Trustee – Chris
