"We need to keep these relationships going," Mrs Banks told the Waitaki District Council's community services committee this week.
The collaboration between police and the Waitaki District Council had not only seen less costly damage and an improvement in communication but a decline in crime and reporting of crime, she said.
There was a 19% decrease in reported crime in the district and an 8% increase in resolution rate during 2008 compared with the previous year.
The 2009/10 period is the last of the $75,000 three-year grant received from the Ministry of Justice for the Waitaki Guardians community patrol.
The guardians were doing a "fantastic job" and funding was being sought to continue the initiative, Mrs Banks said.
Last year, the guardians completed 99 foot patrols, dealing with 446 incidents and issues and requesting police support for 85.
