The Ōrākei Community Patrol has celebrated an important milestone in its goal to provide greater safety for the Ōrākei suburb.
The patrol is now officially affiliated with Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ). Patrol coordinator Neil Maihi was presented with the certificate of affiliation on 16 November.
The Ōrākei Local Board worked with CPNZ and the Ōrākei Marae to get the patrol up and running.
“Community safety was the driver for this initiative and it is fantastic to see the patrol not only up and running, but officially affiliated with the national body,” says Ōrākei Local Board chair Desley Simpson.
Mr Maihi and a group from the marae had been operating a local citizens’ patrol. He got in touch with CPNZ Auckland City District Representative Garry Miller earlier this year on the advice of the police to align the group with a trained and credible organisation.
The patrol is now Ōrākei-wide, members have been vetted and it has received a CPNZ funding package.
All volunteers are vetted through the NZ Police vetting system and receive comprehensive training. The main consideration is safety and all volunteers are on a three-month probationary system and will always patrol with another member.
For more details on how to join the patrol, contact Neil at neilmaihi111@hotmail.co.nz and for information on CPNZ, contact Garry Miller on 021 272 1006 or at auckland@cpnz.org.nz.
