Community patrols may be set up in North Otago if there is community support for the initiative.
Yesterday, Community Patrols of New Zealand senior projects adviser Neil Sole and Dunedin South community patrol chairman Tubby Hopkins were in Oamaru to meet Waitaki police boss Senior Sergeant Kevin Hooper, Senior Constable Bruce Dow, Waitaki community safety co-ordinator Alison Banks and representatives from service groups.
They are also visiting Queenstown, Balclutha, Mosgiel, Alexandra, Cromwell and Wanaka raising awareness of community patrols.
Community Patrols of New Zealand is a national organisation formed in 2001.
There are now close to 100 community patrols throughout the country.
Patrol members were volunteers, working alongside police as extra "eyes and ears" to assist in building safer communities, Mr Sole said.
They did not get out of their vehicles.
It had been proven where patrols existed there had been a reduction in petty crime, he said.
The patrols were community based and not run by councils or police.
Every patrol had a police liaison officer.
The patrol would not be in competition with initiatives such as the Waitaki Guardians, and it was up to the community to move the idea forward, he said.
When contacted, Snr Sgt Hooper said he supported any community-driven initiative that would help curb crime.
Anyone interested in being involved with the patrol should contact Snr Const Dow at the Oamaru police station.
