Nightwatch needs you

Calling all volunteers

If you’ve ever commented or complained about rising crime or feeling safe in our city, here’s your chance to do something about it. Nightwatch Nelson is putting out a call for volunteers. About dozen more people are needed to work on a rostered basis, patrolling and reporting suspicious behaviour to Police.

What is Nightwatch Nelson?

Nightwatch Nelson is a group of volunteers who patrol the Nelson, Tahuna and Stoke areas and monitor the closed circuit television cameras around the inner city. It is a voluntary, non-profit group, funded by Nelson City Council, who provide the Nightwatch vehicle, and supported by the Nelson Police. Nightwatch Nelson consists of Nelson residents of all ages, who want to help the Police in keeping our town safe from crime. Volunteers work together with the Police in a non-confrontational manner, as their ‘eyes and ears’.

Nightwatch volunteers attend Police briefings before going out on patrol and have a Police radio in the vehicle. Patrols are always carried out by pairs of volunteers who do not leave the car. Anything suspicious is reported by radio to the Police who then direct Police patrols to the incident. Both the Nelson City Council Community Liaison Adviser - Safe City and Police Liaison Officer meet regularly with Nightwatch Nelson to assist and support their work.

What to expect as a volunteer?

Experiences as a volunteer can be quite varied and interesting and, provided you adhere to the guidelines, there is little risk of finding yourself in personal danger. A pair of volunteers reported back on a recent shift that included patrolling Tahunanui and Stoke, and being involved in a search for a missing man in Richmond. On that occasion the volunteers were working not just with Police but also closely with search and rescue.

How do I join?

Forms are available from Nightwatch Nelson Coordinator (phone +64 3 539 1498), or from Civic House.

All application forms are vetted by the Police, which should take about two weeks. Your name will then be forwarded to the Nightwatch Nelson coordinator, who will contact you and add your name to the patrol roster as a trainee member.

To become a full member, you’ll need to participate in a training session that covers the rules and regulations. You’ll be shown how to use the Police radio and call signs. Nightwatch Nelson will add you to the patrol roster and you’ll learn the ropes over three months of training on patrols with various experienced volunteers.

Members can do just one patrol per month, or more if they prefer, and the coordinators try to make your patrol nights as convenient as possible for you. Nightwatch Nelson is a committed team and they’d love to have you join them.

Stop moaning - start doing!

Now is the time to act. Don’t sit and moan a moment longer about crime in our city. You can play an important role in helping stop it. Become a Nightwatch Nelson volunteer today. Call the Coordinator on +64 3 539 1498 or collect an application form and information kit from Civic House in Trafalgar Street.