Night of Champions Cambridge
As part of the broader Waikato West prevention team, I am regularly involved on event policing.
Deb Hann – Senior Constable
Last weekend I worked at the Night of Champions at Cambridge raceway. Overall, the attending crowd were well behaved and the races and subsequent concert went to plan.
On the subject of events, the Waipā Club Champs free liquor training will be held on April 20 at Hautapu rugby club rooms. Licensees and their staff are invited to attend. Contact Waipa District or local police for further information and to register.
The past week in Cambridge has felt like a certain television advert- cars, cars, cars! We have again had a spate of car thefts locally. Predominantly they are stolen for joy riding purposes, dumped and another nearby car stolen. If you come across vehicles parked oddly, or with the quarterlight smashed and ignition pulled, please phone 111 and let us know. This ensures forensic integrity is maintained and prevents it from being stolen again. If you have insurance, giving authorisation for a forensic tow means we have a chance of identifying those offenders involved.
Still on the subject of cars, staff in Te Awamutu attended five crashes in the past week. Speed, distraction and intoxication were found to be key contributing factors and where no seatbelts were worn, this worsened the injuries sustained.
Te Awamutu staff have also noticed that speeding has been on the increase in the lower speed zones. The 50kph zones are in place for a reason, usually due to more densely populated areas with higher pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle numbers. These factors all increase the potential for road trauma.
If you are caught speeding, you will not only receive a fine but also demerit points on your drivers’ license. If you accrue over 100 demerits within a two year period, your licence will be suspended for three months. Suspension can have wider impacts beyond just you, including on family logistics. If you then choose to drive during the suspension period, you may face a vehicle impound and prosecution, the result of which will be an even longer disqualification from driving.
In other news, there were a few arrests in the past week. Cambridge Police caught a shoplifter who has been referred to Te Pae Oranga for alternative action. Te Awamutu staff arrested three people for warrants to arrest and breaching bail. They also caught a male wanted on multiple driving and drug charges. All have appeared in court accordingly.
Patrons chatting to police, including Deb Hann, at Night of Champions.
