Support is being sought for the conception of Neighbourhood Watch programmes for Port Douglas and the Douglas region.  Neighbourhood Watch programmes are on the comeback in Far North Queensland with groups in Cairns recently formed to help ensure the safety of the community.

Starting in 1988, Queensland’s Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) programme has been both a philosophy and an approach to working together as a community to reduce crime and enhance community safety.

The programme encourages communities to join together in small informal groups to inspire interaction and a shared sense of responsibility between individuals, neighbours and communities for preventing and reducing crime against people, homes or businesses.

Port Douglas Police Acting Sergeant, Alan Dempsey, said police were keen to get a local programme started soon, as programmes existed in Cairns, Innisfail and Mareeba.

Groups were also formed in Palm Cove in September last year and at an Earlville retirement village last December.

“Port Douglas Police is keen to get involved in any Neighbourhood Watch Programme and the sooner the better,” he said.  “We would have to gauge public interest and encourage local residents to come forward.

“Then, if the residents of Port Douglas want the programme, an officer from this station will be appointed and will carry out the necessary arrangements with the bosses in Cairns to get it started.”

Acting Sergeant Dempsey said the programme would complement the current “Adopt a Cop” programme with Port Douglas State School, as well as the appointment of a local Crime Prevention officer who would work in tandem with the NHW programme.

Queensland Police say the first step to forming a group involved identifying five to 10 other like-minded community members and meeting with them to discuss local crime problems and issues, and how a NHWQ group could improve community safety. Localities for the need of a programme would be then be identified and committees formed.

Cairns Regional Council Division 10 Councillor, Julia Leu, who was involved in the launch of Clifton Beach and Palm Cove programmes, said she would support the formation of a Douglas programme.

“In my experience, Neighbourhood Watch programmes have been a very good way of members community reconnecting with each other,” Cr Leu said.  “I think if there was enough interest from the community, I would certainly support it".

“In the end, whatever funding is available is part of a state government initiative, in a partnership between the state and local governments, the police, the community and the local member for parliament.”

Cr Leu said Member for Barron, Michael Trout, had been actively involved in the formation of the Palm Cove and Clifton Beach groups. The Newsport contacted Member for Cook, David Kempton, for comment, but he did not respond.

For more information on starting a Neighbourhood Watch programme, visit www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/nhwq/