Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you’re all well rested and have enjoyed a much-needed summer break.  I’m not sure summer has officially arrived just yet, but it must come at some stage…surely!

A quick article this month as we start the year on a very sad note for the Greenhithe Volunteer Fire Brigade, for the Greenhithe community as a whole, and of course, for the extended Martin family.

Grant Martin was tragically killed as a result of an accident in Otorohanga on Thursday 5th January.  Grant was just shy of 50 and died well before his time.  Grant was bought up in Greenhithe and spent a large part of his life here.  The Martin family were synonymous with our community and Rex, Grant’s father was well known as the Greenhithe ‘Sherriff’.  

Rex, his brother Trevor, Grant and his brother Tony all joined the Greenhithe Volunteer Fire Brigade at various stages.  Grant served 15 years and is a life-honourary member of the Brigade.  Rex served an amazing 33 years, many as Chief, and is still the second longest serving member in the Brigade’s history.  Between the four Martin family members who joined the Brigade, they served a total of 67 years, which is an outstanding commitment to community service and to the Greenhithe community.

On behalf of the past and present members of the Greenhithe Volunteer Fire Brigade, I’d like to extend our sincere condolences to the Martin family.  We are truly sorry for your loss but are immensely proud to have served with Grant...he will be remembered.

Regular communications resume next month…all the best for a great 2012…stay fire safe!

DCFO Gareth Wallis

Let me start off with a few items that were handed in to me during the last month.

Found/lost Property:

1. A book which came flying off a the roof of a car around the end of Greenhithe Rd/Tauhinu Rd area in a   Borders bag.

2. A pair of Ray Ban sunglasses

3. A bunch of 3 keys , 1 being a red key.

Give me a call/email if any of these items might be yours.

As from last week details of outstanding stolen vehicles are made available to the public from the Stolen Vehicles page on the Police website. Visitors to this site can :

·         Query an individual registration number (relevant to members of the public wanting to check suspicious vehicles);

This page will have benefits of potentially higher rates of stolen vehicle recovery and increased apprehension of offenders.

Pedestrian Crossing at Greenhithe Primary:

I have also been asked to remind everybody that the pedestrian crossing on Greenhithe Rd opposite the Greenhithe Primary School is a pedestrian crossing 24 hours a day  as there are quite a few problems with cars driving straight through the crossing when it is not being manned by the school volunteers.

Be vigilant..There have been a few burglaries (mainly around Upper Harbour Drive again) and Christmas is approaching which often shows an increase in these type of incidents. Do not hesitate to phone 111 if cars drive onto your driveway and the occupants appear suspicous.

HOST RESPONSIBILITY!!!

If you are having a party it is your responsibility that the party goers do not spill out onto the street causing havoc. A party a few weeks ago was (a not so good) example of a group of people spilling into Greenhithe, disturbing the peace (3 people arrested for this), kicking in postboxes and ripping out trees in Wainoni Park. As no one saw anyone in particular doing any of these acts, no one was arrested for the latter issues..

CRIMESTOPPERS:             0800 555 111      

Speak up, it's anonymous, tell us what you know, not who you are and help make our community safer!!

Have a good Christmas and a great and safe 2012…

Hermien Kok

027 4776235