Volunteers undertake the patrols which help keep communities across Waimakariri safer.
The volunteers operate community patrol cars and work with police to help reduce criminal activity in the area.
Volunteers remain in their cars, observing and monitoring incidents, taking notes and feeding back to police.
Kaiapoi co-ordinator Owen Cassidy says men and women give their time freely to the patrols.
He said it doesn’t require an onerous amount of time to lend a hand on patrol to help keep the community safe.
He was critical of the "keyboard warriors" who criticise the amount of criminal activity in the district, and the ‘perceived notion’ community patrols are not doing their job when something happens in their street or area.
"The more bums on seats means more patrols, both day and night," he says.
Terence O’Grady is the Rangiora patrol leader. He says they are always looking for volunteers to help out keeping an eye on what is going on around the byways and towns.
Between them, the two community patrols cover Kaiapoi, Rangiora, up to Cust, Oxford, Amberley, Sefton and everywhere in between.
As well as working alongside the police, carrying out any tasks they are given, the patrols also work with the council, businesses and different community organisations.
All members are vetted by the police, have a three month probationary period and receive ongoing training.
- If you would like to volunteer for either patrol, contact the Kaiapoi patrol on kaiapoi@cpnz.org.nz or Rangiora patrol on rangiora@cpnz.org.nz
