Hello all, is it too late now to say Happy New Year? I am back at the station this week after a mixed January of annual leave, training and working different operations.
I went to Raglan and Kawhia over New Year, finishing the month back at Raglan with Sound Splash. I hope you all had a safe and happy break too.
While travelling the district, I caught a couple of people driving with breath alcohol readings well over the legal limit. The first had been having a memorial drink for a family member. He made the bad decision to drive home across Hamilton and had already caused a minor crash when we were alerted to him. The second was stopped near Mobil Karapiro, but had intended to drive all the way to Taupo.
Both were putting themselves and other road users at huge risk. Waikato has already had a number of serious injury and fatal crashes in 2023. Alcohol and speed as always, are proving a lethal combination. Fatigue also plays a role. With the increase in non-alcoholic options available plus access to taxis and sober drivers and messaging around taking driver breaks, there is no excuse for this behaviour.
Closer to home, there have been a few things happening. One of note is an emerging trend of motorcycle thefts. This is a reminder to motorcycle owners to keep their prized possession safely locked in a garage and if outside, to secure it with a wheel lock or to an immovable object. If you discover a theft, phone police immediately and provide as detailed a description as possible. This is one time that harnessing social media can be beneficial. The more people on the lookout for sightings of your stolen bike the better. The key thing is for any information to be channelled directly to police referencing the appropriate file number.
Reporting crime is still something that causes confusion for some. If offending is in progress (common examples being – if thieves are in your store and walk out stealing items, if you see someone dodgy walking into and around your property at night, if you see a vehicle crossing the centre lane /repeatedly tailgating /overtaking into oncoming traffic or if you see or hear a heated family harm incident occurring) call 111 immediately. Police cannot attend to crime if we don’t know it is happening and any delay reduces the chance of us getting the best evidence possible.
Lastly, with all schools having returned for Term 1 this week, please be mindful of children walking and biking to school. There will also be extra traffic on the roads. Drive defensively and expect the unexpected from other drivers. Have a great week.
Bridal Falls, Raglan
