Christmas Crime
Sup Neighbors.
I was at Countdown the other night & noticed someone sitting right near the entrance way begging for change. I'm used to seeing it in town but at Highland Park ...bit of a shocker.
I'm not debating the ethics of this, judging them or questioning their character but it did lead me to consider that for many people, this can be a pretty desperate time of year. It's easy for us to forget that.
Too often on this site there are stories of homes and cars being robbed. This type of crime increases around the festive season so I'd like to post this as a reminder to make sure your houses, garages, sheds and vehicles are locked and secure, as required.
Don't leave windows open unnecessarily, lock doors, set alarms and make sure valuables are hidden from sight, not sitting on the passenger seat, front lawn, parcel tray, window sill or porch etc. That's all easy pickings for a thief.
It might also be a good idea to consider updating the pin numbers on your various cards, mobile devices and banking apps too.
Most thieves are just opportunists but there are also dedicated burglars out there who work hard to get their claws on your hard earned money & precious possessions. They couldn't give a **** about taking items of sentimental value & violating your sense of security while doing it.
So where possible, try to stay aware, alert and report suspicious activity. Maybe keep one eye on your neighbors place if they've gone away or are working through the xmas period. Call 105 if you have to.
It's easy to let our guard down at this time of year, especially after the crazy 2020 we've all been through but try to remember that the less effort you put into basic security, the easier you make it for these crooks to take advantage of you, so please stay vigilant.
Be safe and have a great holiday.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.5% Yes
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14% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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