Deb Hann
I’ll start this week with a summary of activity.
Deb Hann – Senior Constable
In Cambridge over the past seven days, police dealt with incidents including two drivers over the legal breath alcohol limit, five traffic crashes, six family harm incidents, four mental health incidents, a trespass matter, two shop thefts and four burglaries.
A female shoplifter was arrested at Super Cheap Auto and was then found to be wanted for another theft in Hamilton. She was held in custody to appear in court the next day. A male was served a Police Safety Order (PSO) and will be appearing in court on a charge of dangerous driving after accelerating to almost double the speed limit in Leamington following a family harm incident. Another male was arrested for breaching a PSO that was already in place and has appeared in court.
In Te Awamutu, police responded to a common assault, offensive and threatening behaviour, suspicious behaviour, unaccompanied minors, two traffic crashes, 10 family harm incidents, two thefts, two trespass matters, five attempted car thefts, six breaches of court bail, and three burglaries.
There were a number of other reports also made in both towns via the 105 number and the public counter which are being followed up.
I would next like to touch on social media. Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends, family, and others in our community. It allows information to spread quickly and can rally support when people need it. The same speed and reach can also create problems, however. Posts in public groups about local incidents or community concerns often attract a lot of attention. While many people respond with kindness, others may react negatively or inadvertently spread misinformation. Once something is posted, the original poster can quickly lose control over how that information is interpreted, shared and on the commentary that results.
If you don’t have personal knowledge of a situation, it’s usually best not to post about it. Even when you do know what happened, it’s important to think carefully before sharing. Consider the privacy of those involved, the potential for digital harm, and whether your post might otherwise cause unnecessary fear, speculation, or retaliation amongst the community.
Finally this week, a reminder on scams. No one is immune, even our station sergeant received a scam text this week saying he had overdue fines from police. We know that some substantial losses have occurred through scams so I again reinforce the message not to click on any links or accept software downloads sent on unexpected emails or texts or from unfamiliar sources.
Senior Constable Deb Hann – On the Beat
