Lake Okareka - NHS Newsletters

Neighbourhood Support September 2014

24/9/2014

The recent Neighbours Lunch public meeting held at the Okareka Hall attracted quite a few interested local residents. Bruce Quedley from Rotorua Neighbourhood Support and Pauline Hitchcock the Civil Defence Co-ordinator spoke on the roles of their organisations and encouraged people to be prepared for any emergency. Information material was available to take away and the opportunity was taken to update peoples’ contact details. LOCA provided a sausage sizzle and refreshments.

The aim is to collate a central register of Okareka residents and family details in order that should a disaster happen the co-ordinators will have a better knowledge of who may need assistance. At this stage we have a number of residents acting as street co-ordinators who are responsible for looking after a few houses in their vicinity. As a result of the meeting more people have put their hand up to act in this capacity in their street. However in order that we can cover all of Okareka we need more people to act as co-ordinator in their street. If you are interested please contact me.

If you haven't had an e-mail communication from me the Administrator in the last couple of weeks and you have been getting notices in the past, it means I don't have your current e-mail address. Please send me an e-mail so that I can update our data base. Of course we welcome any other residents who would like to be in the loop; just send me an e-mail.

Lyall Beuth
Phone: 3628 459

Neighbourhood Support June 2013

26/6/2013

Aren’t we fortunate living out here at the lake with no serious crime happening? Let’s hope it continues. There was however an attempt to steal a stainless steel tub from the DoC Camp a few weeks ago. I think they must have been disturbed before they could get away with it. Hopefully we have managed to better secure it now.

We are in the process of combining NS with Civil Defence and will be looking for more coordinators in order that we can have the whole of the village covered. We will also be updating peoples’ records and adding any CD skills you may have. If someone knocks on your door with a request that you become a coordinator please assist if you can as it is not an onerous task at all.

As I am away quite a bit and have a long break planned soon we are setting up the emailing so that another two people can access emails sent to me regarding NS. Hopefully this will be put in place shortly.

Keep smiling!!
Lyall Beuth
Ph 3628 459

Neighbourhood Support March 2013

1/3/2013

It seems as if we got through the holiday period pretty much unscathed. However, there have been some nasty incidents at the DOC camp with out-of-towners causing a disturbance. It is very difficult to “nip these in the bud” before too much damage is done without telephone coverage at the camp. These incidents were reported to the Police who, credit to them, came out fairly promptly and dealt with some of the people concerned. How much easier it would be if we had cellphone coverage.

Unfortunately there has been graphite damage to the public toilets at Acacia Road Reserve as well as some damage to the picnic tables. If you see graphite artists at work please report them to the police asap. If graphite is reported promptly there is a good chance it can be removed by the RDC experts.

If you would like to join a Neighbourhood Support group please contact me and I will direct you to your nearest coordinator. Likewise if you would like to have your email address on my database I will send out from time to time bulletins on incidents, requests for help locating owners of found items or anything I consider is of a neighbourly matter.

Hope you are enjoying the long hot summer—certainly beats last year.

Lyall Beuth
Ph 3628 459

Neighbourhood Support December 2012

1/12/2012

A nasty incident happened recently in Millar Road with spray damage to an expensive hedge. It appears to have been deliberate vandalism. Lets hope there is no more of it.

A number of people are very concerned with cars speeding in the village.

Be warned... a traffic camera operating in Loop Road a couple of weeks ago picked up several of these speeding vehicles and issued instant fines. In one case I understand the offender was doing 90kph in the 50kph area which brought about not only a hefty fine but cancellation of license.

As always I would like people who are not part of Neighbourhood Support to contact me. It costs nothing and you get a support pack to start you off and if you have e-mail I send out information on incidents as they happen. Give me a ring on 3628 459 to find out about it.

School/Varsity holidays and warmer weather are now with us, both of which usually bring out some of the less desirables. Make sure you secure your house and valuables. Keep an eye out for strangers acting suspiciously and report anything to the police. Let them decide if it needs their follow up.

Christmas is a time for giving, not TAKING. Try not to leave nicely wrapped gifts under your Christmas tree visible from outside and tempting for TAKING by the uninvited. Be sure to secure your house etc when out celebrating the festive season.

Neighbourhood Support aims to keep Okareka CRIME FREE... YOU can help by joining us.

Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Lyall Beuth
Ph 3628 459

Neighbourhood Support September 2012

1/9/2012

Nothing much to complain about in the last three months, but there was a kayak supposedly stolen from a lakeside property in Acacia Road and loads of rubbish dumped in the village by some mindless people. This is very sad as Rotorua would have one of the cheapest land fills in the country, so there is no excuse for not taking rubbish to the proper place.

It seems the colder wet winters keep most of the undesirables away, but with better weather hopefully on the way this pattern could change, so we need to be alert and observant for anything out of the ordinary. As usual, if you see anything suspicious please notify the police as soon as possible. Let them decide if it is worth following up.

It is a timely reminder to check your house. Would you be safe from falling bookcases/shelving or the likes if we had an earthquake? Do you have an emergency pack and know what to do in an emergency as recommended in the inside back cover of your Yellow Pages telephone directory? Probably not.

We don't usually think a disaster will happen to us. I bet most of the people in Christchurch went to bed on Friday night not thinking of a disaster hitting them, but it did, and it could happen to us. It's no good worrying about it but we should at least be prepared just in case. Note that there is to be a Nationwide exercise at 9.26am on 26 September 2012 to highlight the need to be prepared.

As usual we would welcome any newcomers to the Village to join Neighbourhood Support. Simply contact me and I can arrange for an Information Pack to be delivered to you and advise who your nearest coordinator is. If you advise your email address I can put you on my database and you will receive time to time bulletins on urgent matters, usually bad happenings to be wary of.

The more you complain, the longer God makes you live.............

If you think there's good in everyone, you haven't met everyone.

Be cheerful and say hi! to your neighbour, you may need them one day.

Lyall Beuth JP
Ph: 3628 459
Email: twobeuths@xtra.co.nz

Neighbourhood Support June 2013

1/6/2012

I am pleased to report that as far as I am aware there hasn't been any criminal

activity in the village since last reporting. Lets hope this trend continues. Maybe the cool conditions keep the less desirables away, but I'm certainly not advocating that this weather continues.

The recent cold snap reminds us to drive to the conditions, particularly along Tarawera Road in front of the Blue Lake motor camp and exiting the Blue Lake area heading into town. I know of at least one driver reporting that she lost

traction, both front and back on the black ice and there was a vehicle flipped on ice there just recently.

The only excitement from the police that I am aware of was a “P” bust in Summit Road recently. I don't think it was a manufacturing incident but don't know any more.

There has been a lot of talk about being prepared for an emergency and I suppose we should seriously consider the consequences if we are not prepared.

I wonder how many people actually do have a supply of emergency items set aside in a handy place in case of need? We have been very blasé about it and haven't done anything other than talk about it.

Don't forget continue to be alert to any strangers looking at all suspicious or cars cruising by.

Keep in touch with any elderly neighbours during the winter months to ensure they are okay.

Be a kind kiwi.

Any minor problems give me a ring, but all other incident that may give you concern ring the Police.

Lyall Beuth
Ph 3628 459
Email twobeuths@xtra.co.nz

Neighbourhood Support March 2012

1/3/2012

It has been reasonably quiet as far as offences are concerned but there have still been prowlers noticed and reported with two men being apprehended as they were leaving the village after disturbing a dog whose barking alerted the owners who rang the police.

Make sure you lock any vehicle left outside and be sure to take valuables out or ensue they are out of sight.

¨ When you go out leave a light on, both inside and outside.
¨ Leave either the TV or radio on.
¨ Leave a car in the drive. (Locked of course.)
¨ Own a dog – Burglars hate dogs.
¨ Install an alarm – burglars hate alarms
¨ If you are going to be away for a few days tell your neighbour and Neighbourhood Support coordinator.
¨ If you don’t belong to a group give me a ring and I will direct you to your nearest coordinator. Join with your neighbours in making your street a safer street.

Is there a Neighbourhood Support sign on a telegraph pole near you? If not there probably isn’t an organised group in your vicinity. It has been proven that Neighbourhood Support does prevent crime.

It would be great to have the whole of Okareka covered by groups but we need you to want it. Be proactive and give me a ring.

Members are kept informed of criminal activity, crime trends, and such.

If you see a crime or something suspiciously like criminal activity ring 111 and report it immediately.

If the crime has happened and urgency is not immediately likely to catch the offender ring the Rotorua police on 348 0099

Lyall Beuth
Ph 3628 459

Neighbourhood Support December 2011

30/11/2011

With the Festive Season we are likely to get an influx of undesirable people, so it is timely to remind you to lock away your valuable items and keep a wary eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

There has recently been cash and a cell phone stolen out of a car in Calder Road and a house burglary in Loop Road. Unfortunately the offenders were not seen.

If you are leaving your property unattended for any length of time, please ensure your mail is cleared regularly or stopped and lawns mowed in your absence. Make sure you stop your paper delivery.

Judith and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Lyall Beuth
Ph 3628 459

Neighbourhood Support June 2011

31/5/2011

I am pleased to report that as far as I am aware there hasn't been any criminal activity in the village since last reporting.

Lets hope this trend continues.

Maybe the very wet conditions keep the less desirables away, but I'm certainly not advocating that the wet weather continue to achieve this.

There has been a lot of talk about being prepared for an emergency and I suppose we should seriously consider the consequences if we are not prepared. I wonder how many people actually do have a supply of emergency items set aside in a handy place in case of need? We have been very blasé about it and haven't done anything other than talk about it.

Don't forget continue to be alert to any strangers looking at all suspicious or cars cruising by.

Keep in touch with any elderly neighbours during the winter months to ensure they are okay.

Be a kind kiwi.

Any minor problems give me a ring, but all other incidents that may give you concern

Ring the Police.

Lyall Beuth
Ph 3628 459

Neighbourhood Support March 2011

1/3/2011

Unfortunately there has been a bit of unsavoury activity to report on this past quarter.

A burglary in Loop Road, coincidentally at the same time there was a big influx of out of towners supporting the search for the drowned jet ski rider. At this same time I had all my BBQ tools taken off our front deck. Since then two jet ski's were stolen off the beach from a Steep St residence.

There is green waste being dumped at the end of the tar seal on Millar Road by the gate down to the new camp ground. Please keep an eye out for the culprits and if possible record vehicle rego numbers and report to the police.

With the recent tragic events in Christchurch it is timely to remind people of the need to be prepared for a catastrophic event, such as earthquake, volcanic eruption, storm or such like. Could you survive for 3 or more days without the ability to get food or water from an outside source? Check the back inside cover of your Yellow Pages telephone book for what you need to Get Through.

As usual please be alert to any vehicle or strangers acting unusually, ie cruising slowly past houses, wandering into driveways, peering in windows or such like. They may be up to no good. Just show that you have seen them and if they are acting suspiciously ring the police.

It would be good to have all residents as active NS members caring for your fellow neighbours, so if you are not already part of a group and would like to join, please give me a ring.

Don't forget Neighbours Day celebration get together at 7 Steep St from 6pm until late on Saturday 26th March. Check out www.neighboursday.org.nz.

Cathy Lines has recently returned to Okareka after a long period overseas and wants to participate in the community so she has offered to take over my role as NS coordinator which I am very grateful for. I'm sure she will do the job far better than I have and wish her well. Her contact phone number is 3628 112.

I will retain the email data base of local email addresses to enable important LOCA messages to be conveyed so please keep me informed of any address changes.

Lyall Beuth
Ph 3628 459