The Holiday season is upon us again. This means holidays and houses unoccupied for upto a few weeks. Please start taking precautions like:

• Informing your (trusted) neighbours and get them to walk around your house every day for a check.
• Get your mailbox cleared daily
• Put your jewellery and other items of value away/out of sight (see more below)

 
There has been an increase of jewellery being stolen/targeted during burglaries on the Shore. Gold is worth a lot more than computers, etc. The advice is to photograph it if you do decide to leave it at home (or get it properly valued??), and put it in an unusual hiding place. Don't put it in your underwear drawer (as people STILL do), or under the mattrass or any other common place where burglars look. You can also securely register serial numbers and photos of valued goods at www.snap.org.nz
 
Also, parents of teenagers. You are probably all aware of the facebook party notices and the problems caused at Castor Bay recently. Just be aware of where your teenagers are and where they are going.
 
If you have to drive quite far to a holiday destination, remember to take a 15 min break about every 2 hours you have been behind the wheel to stretch your legs and relax. It won't make much difference in regards to your arrival time and the most important thing is to arrive at the other end safely.
 
For the rest of it, enjoy your holidays and keep safe.
 
I will be at the Greenhithe Firestation most Thursdays as am working through December and January.
 
 
Hermien Kok
Community Constable Greenhithe/Paremoremo
Email: hermina.kok@police.govt.nz
Ph 0274 776235