Good news this month, our burglaries and thefts to garden sheds have dropped right off compared with last month. We have increased both mobile and foot patrols within the area and this approach seems to have paid off.

On the 13th May at approximately 6:10pm we had a bizarre theft of a Mountain Bike and Dog that was stolen from Kimberly Grove. The bike is described as MERIDA off-road bicycle - white/blue writing, black seat, front and rear suspension, year 2011, model 120 300D, value $2000. The dog is described as, Staffy, Whippet, Collie, Lab cross, male, aged 2 1/2 years, named Diesel. 

The complainant parked his bicycle by the house, tied his dog to the bike and has then gone inside to get a few things. When he has come outside he has seen that both the dog and the bicycle are gone.

A neighbour reports seeing a dark coloured Range Rover, driven by a female, nil registration recorded, travelling unusually slowly around Greenhithe as if it was casing houses. 

If anyone has any information regarding the suspicious vehicle or has seen the dog or mountain bike please let Police know.

Stay safe

Troy Williamson

Greenhithe/North Harbour Community Constable

Thanks to the members of the community who came along to our ANZAC Day service.  We’re always open to suggestions of what could be done differently, so please do drop us a line if you’ve got any suggestions – greenhithe@fire.org.nz.

Daylight savings is a great time of the year to check the batteries in your smoke alarms.  It’s a task that should be done twice a year and one that definitely shouldn’t be missed.  It has been proven time and time again – working smoke alarms save lives.  Please take this opportunity to check all of your smoke alarms and replace the batteries as necessary.  If you’ve got any questions or concerns about smoke alarms in your home, please do not hesitate to give us a call – leave a message on 413 9847 and we’ll get back to you promptly.

And speaking of smoke alarms, there have been some reported issues with two types/brands of smoke alarms:

• ORCA 10 year photoelectric smoke alarms

• Family Shield with photoelectric sensor smoke alarms

We have installed some of the ORCA smoke alarms in the past and have had one fault reported – as persistent ‘chirping’ sound even with a brand new battery.  If you’ve had a similar problem with smoke alarms in your home, please in the first instance check the battery to see if it is working but if the fault persists, let us know as soon as possible.

And finally this month, congratulations to firefighters Gerard Smith and Craig Sanders who both recently completed their basic training.  The first course you undertake in the New Zealand Fire Service is one week long and based at our National Training Centre in Rotorua.  Congrats to Gerard and Craig who passed the course with flying colours and now get to trade in their red helmets for shiny yellow ones.  

Congratulations also to firefighter Nick Wells and senior firefighter Gunner Ashford who have also completed training courses this month.  Nick is now a qualified firefighter and Gunner is qualified as a station officer.  Well done guys and thanks for taking the time out of your busy lives to further your Fire Service careers for the benefit of our community.

Until next month, stay safe.

Gareth Wallis – Chief Fire Officer 

This month we have seen an increase in burglaries to residential homes and garden sheds. Some of the burglaries have been occurring during daylight hours when owners leave their address for short periods at a time e.g. heading to an appointment or shopping etc.

We need to be alert, remain vigilant and remember the basics!

Lock all doors and windows, turn the alarm on/secure your address and if necessary let you neighbours know if you're heading out for more than a night.

Garden sheds have also been targeted by opportunists so it may be beneficial to keep valuables in a more secure area like the garage. Garden sheds are very easy to break into even with heavy duty padlocks.

We have also been made aware of vehicles towing drift trikes in and around the Greenhithe area. Again if you see this occurring note the registration and please call Police.

Remember if you see anything suspicious weather it be a vehicle or person cal 111 and report the matter.

Stay safe
Troy Williamson
Greenhithe/North Harbour Community Constable

A reminder that ANZAC Day is very close and we’ll again be organising a short ceremony (20 mins approx.) at the War Memorial Gates on Roland Road.  Start time is 9am on the 25^th.  We’ll be “marching” from the Fire Station and leaving at 0850hrs if any community groups or other uniformed personnel want to join us.  If you do, please leave a message on the station phone or email us and someone will get back to you to coordinate – 413 9847 or greenhithe@fire.org.nz.

We had the pleasure of participating in the Paremoremo Community Raft Race last month – what a great, fun-filled family event!  We didn’t win and I think actually came 7^th in the end, but we had a brilliant time and it was great to get out and about and help raise some money for Ridgeview Primary School.  We’ll definitely be back next year to take on all comers, especially our mates from East Coast Bays Volunteer Fire Brigade who came a well-deserved first place!

Greenhithe Volunteer Fire Brigade Raft Team

Left to right – QFF Paul Lagataki, QFF Nick Wells, RFF Gerard Smith, QFF Mike Fawcett, SFF Arron Brown and SO Steve Hey

Finally this month, good luck to all the Brigade members who are off on training courses in the next month or so.  We have eleven members who between them will clock up 61 days of official New Zealand Fire Service training in the next two months, all in their own volunteer time.  A massive time commitment and it is genuinely appreciated!

Have a great month and don’t forget to check us out on Facebook if you want to know more about what we do.

Gareth Wallis – Chief Fire Officer 

The summer that keeps on giving! What an amazing March we have had so far.  Bring on the rain I say, those water tanks are getting very low.

With the hot weather we have seen an increase in minor burglaries including burglaries to yachts both moored and on the dry dock. 

With the help of the community we have resolved the last two burglaries. The first being youths breaking into a yacht. This matter has been dealt with and all responsible youths spoken to. The matter has been referred to the Youth Aid Team at North Shore Policing Centre. 

The second burglary to a yacht being built has also been resolved. The offender has been arrested and the majority of property taken from the yacht has been returned to the owner.

A great result for the community.

I have also been contacted by concerned members of the public regarding boy racers/noisy vehicles speeding or driving like idiots. If you see this type of behaviour occurring please call 111 and record the registration number.

Stay safe

Troy Williamson
Greenhithe/North Harbour Community Constable

Greenhithe/North Harbour Community Constable

Hope you are enjoying this fabulous summer of ours and soaking up the rays. 

With the hot weather we have seen a small increase in disorder particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings. Churchouse Road is attracting a lot of youths in the evenings which is resulting in minor damage to letter boxes, portaloos being pushed over and vehicles being parked with stereos blasting. If you see this occurring call 111 and report the matter.

There have also been a few house parties when Police have had to shut down the party due to disorder and remove youths from the area. If you are going to host a party let Police know by filling out a Party Registration Form. This way we can do drive bys and assist with any uninvited guests. If a party is becoming very noisy etc then call noise control to assist however if obnoxious or disorderly behaviour is occurring in or around the address then call 111. We will assess the party and determine the outcome.

On a brighter note as a community we located a young female's prized jewellery by using the email newsletter system on greenhithe.org.nz. The system works really well and goes out to over 750 subscribers!

The hours I will be at the Greenhithe Fire Station have changed slightly, its still every Wednesday but between the hours of 11 and 12. Occasionally I won't be there due to operational requirements or roster changes.

Stay safe

Troy Williamson
Greenhithe/North Harbour Community Constable