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(By Laura Bingham and Vanessa Hill - Bond University Journalism Students)
A Neighbourhood Watch Program (NHWP) was launched on March 6 aimed at bringing the community together to prevent crime.
Senior Sergeant Andrew Frick, who is in charge of the Robina Police Station, said he hoped the program would reduce and prevent petty crime within the area.
“The program encourages residents to be actively involved within their community and work with the police for the purpose of crime prevention,” he said.
“The main concerns within Varsity Lakes which the program aims to address are street youth crime, public and underage drinking, graffiti and willful damage.”
NHWP area co-ordinator Greg Baker said the program was beneficial to Varsity Lakes residents as it allowed the community to know what was happening locally.
“The program is a great idea, it allows networking for residents ... currently we have filled three committee positions, area co-ordinator, treasurer and secretary and we have 18 volunteers,” he said.
“We are sending out 600 invites to local residents for the launch and hope from that we gain community support and more volunteers ... this is the first meeting of the four which are to be held each year”
Mr Baker said despite being a safe community, the program would bring residents together to address the main concerns within Varsity Lakes such as speeding.
“The main role of the community is to provide support to the NHWP ... whether it’s a fundraiser or writing a letter to a member of council,” he said.
“The program will be implemented between Christie Avenue and Notre Dame Court.”
For further details contact Greg Baker at baker.greg@yahoo.com.au
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