Christchurch Earthquake update March 2011

Community Patrols: Liaison Officers newsletter

Christchurch Earthquake

Dave Ross, former o/c Karori, started in the role of National Operations Officer for CPNZ on 21 February. This position is funded by a grant to CPNZ from the Ministry of Justice. Dave has visited Christchurch and his update below discusses what Canterbury community patrols are doing and how other patrols might assist. Dave's email is cpnz@police.govt.nz or phone DDI 41222

Greetings to all Patrollers

As you may now be aware both the National Chairperson, Robert Fowler and myself were in Christchurch during the latter part of last week. We spoke with, met or (in one case) left messages with each of the Canterbury Community Patrols Coordinators or other contact person.

The prime focus of the visit was to make sure that the Patrols and their Patrollers were all right. Then to see what resources would be available to work in the community.

As with any major event such as this, Police and Emergency Services rightly focus on Search and Rescue. Due to the enormity of their situation, the majority of Police staff are focused on securing the area to make sure that other members of the public are not placing themselves in danger.

We all are very aware that Police resources are limited and priority policing steps in. The result is that some events cannot be immediately attended or responded to. The important part of Policing known as Community Reassurance suffers.

This is where Community Patrols can step up and assist in this important role. By providing a visible presence in marked vehicles in the outer suburbs, residents and visitors to those communities gain a sense of reassurance and an awareness that they are not forgotten.

While in Christchurch the National Chairperson and I spoke with Police Managers, Emergency Management Managers and visited the Emergency Operations Centre based at the Christchurch Art Gallery. We advised them of what resources CPNZ could provide and that the local patrols were involved in providing a visible presence and providing valuable Community Reassurance.

Robert had the opportunity to meet Greg O’Conner – President of the Police Association, who had the sad duty of talking to family re the lost Police volunteer. Our thoughts are with them.

Due to their own circumstances not all patrols were able to be active. · The Kaiapoi Community Patrol was involved with transporting water from Kaiapoi to the various Welfare Centres in Christchurch. · The Rangiora Community Patrol provided extra patrolling by also covering Kaiapoi’s areas. · A good number of Christchurch Patrols were active and working from their local Police Stations providing Community Reassurance. · Crime Watch Christchurch assisting with delivering water to local residents and securing Helicopter landing sites. · Additional Patrols were working at night in areas without power or local street lighting.

The visit to Christchurch immediately showed the benefit of the National QRF Database. It also shows the importance of updating information for patrol contacts as a number of those local contacts were no longer engaged with CPNZ.

I would ask all patrols to check the most recent copy of the Quick Reference Form supplied to ensure that the contact details are correct and valid. QRF’s are available on our website www.communitypatrols.org.nz under the Members’ Area in a folder entitled ‘Forms’. Updated forms can be emailed to cpnz.database@clear.net.nz or posted to the contact details shown below..

This event also showed that as an organisation we will now develop an Emergency Plan that will contain a considered and planned response to any like event that occurs within New Zealand. This may include the placing of additional Magnetic CPNZ signs with each District Representative.

I am aware that there has been a large number of patrols and patrollers who have volunteered to go to Christchurch to assist. I ask you to consider where your response should best be placed. There is no accommodation available within 100 kms of Christchurch, so unless you can stay with someone locally without impacting further on their needs I would suggest that you do not.

As you are aware CPNZ has organised an Accommodation Assistance Listing. So far we have been able to provide fifty three offers of accommodation with the official organisers. If you are able to assist in this way please contact our Chairman Robert Fowler at Robert@bedpost.co.nz with details.

A large number of Police have been drawn from all areas of New Zealand to assist in Christchurch. You should still consider contacting your local Police Station to see if additional Community Patrols are required locally.

There MAY be a request for additional CPNZ Patrollers to assist local patrols in a few weeks time. A significant number of South Island Patrols have already offered assistance and support.

An important part of that response would be to have marked CPNZ Patrol vehicles and using nearby South Island Patrols would logistically make sense.

Should a request for additional Patrollers be made, it will be issued from this office.

Those still wishing to assist are requested to consider making donations of money directly to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. All banks have the facility to direct funds to this appeal.

This office will maintain regular contact with the situation in Christchurch and with the local patrols via their elected District Representative

Robert at Christchurch Central Police Station. Note the liquefaction even after the bulldozers had cleared it.

Patrollers around New Zealand have offered their homes to over one hundred Christchurch people.

Dave ROSS | National Operations Officer | Community Patrols of New Zealand c/- Police National Headquarters | Post Box 3017 | Wellington 6140 180 Molesworth Street | Wellington 6011 | DX Mail SX11149 Ph +64 4 817 0228 | Extn 41228 | Fax +64 4 460 2967