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2856 days ago

What a great effort from our community patrol

Sharron Pardoe Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

The Upper Hutt Community Patrol earned its name of the "extra eyes and ears of the police" recently after members helped locate the driver of a stolen vehicle.

During a usual Saturday night patrol checking schools and trouble spots, an policeman asked them to keep an eye out for a red Toyota Camry after police had to abandon a pursuit of the stolen vehicle.

They had the first three letters of the car's number plate and 45 minutes later found an abandoned car that fitted the description.

Patrol member Anthony Moen said they contacted police and linked it back to a person they had talked to earlier at the old CIT grounds who they had "not expected to be there at that time of night".
He had said he was from out of town and was looking for a petrol station or train station so we gave him directions and observed which way he went."

Police units, including a dog squad, started searching for the man and he was found at a nearby property.

Moen said the incident proved the value of the patrol. "iI we hadn't run into that person, the police wouldn't have had a lot of information to go on."

It was the first time the group had been able to give the police information "while it was still hot" and have it result in an arrest.

It was validating for them and rewarding for the police. "It shows our power."

He encouraged anyone who saw anything odd or suspicious to report it to the police.

Alan Cappleman, who is the sergeant in charge of community police in the Hutt Valley North, said the community patrol volunteers were certainly valued. "We can't underestimate the value of them."

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3 days ago

Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?

Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱

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Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
  • 49.5% Yes
    49.5% Complete
  • 48.6% No
    48.6% Complete
  • 1.9% Other - I'll share below
    1.9% Complete
2604 votes
13 hours ago

Here's Thursday's thinker!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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12 hours ago

Tai Chi October - December 2024

Andrew from Birchville

Hi, I'm Andrew Hardwick, Tai Chi Instructor and member of NZ National Tai Chi Chuan Association Incorporated (NZNTCCA). The name of my wellness-focussed Tai Chi class is Not Strictly Tai Chi. The quirky name is a humorous twist on the name of shows like "Strictly Come Dancing", and from the fact that (a) I'm not strict and (b) If I see an exercise I think would provide a health benefit to my Tai Chi students, I will add it to my class offerings.

My Upper Hutt venue is Te Kupenga o Rongomai - Maidstone Sports Hub. Classes are in school term times only, and are open to all ages.
So far in 2024 we've had ages ranging from Mums attending while their kids are at school, through to retired people looking for healthy exercise.
No experience necessary. Experienced and beginners equally welcome

School Term 4 classes will be on the following dates

Wednesday evenings, from 7pm - 8pm
October 16th
October 23rd
October 30th
November 6th
November 13th
November 20th
November 27th
December 4th
December 11th
December 18th

Thursday mornings, from 10am - 11am
October 17th
October 24th
October 31st
November 7th
November 14th
November 21st
November 28th
December 5th
December 12th
December 19th

Enquiries welcome on 021 153 2508
Andrew Hardwick - Tai Chi Instructor

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