As a resident of tweed Broadwater Village I became very disenchanted with the security in the village when a car was pushed out of a driveway and down the main street before being started. This happened on dusk while most people would have been having tea – not that crooks think of things like that. The most extraordinary thing about this incident was that nobody saw or heard a thing – even though there are at least six houses where the occupants look onto the driveway in question.
Management have a security patrol vehicle drive through the village at some ungodly hour at 60kph which is too fast to see anything or do anything for that matter. They stop at the front recreation area and stick a business card in a door to signify that they have been through the village.
I remember Darrel and I arriving home at 1.15am and lights continually shining in our bedroom window.
I thought that it was an older person trying to get into their driveway but alas, it was four youths casing houses in the village. I found this out next day when I spoke with frightened residents who would not pick the phone up and tell the police because they believed that the police would not do anything.
It is a very unfortunate fact of life that people who purchase a home in this lifestyle village “think” that they are secure. Because of this and the attitude of some of the residents there is a negative attitude to Neighbourhood Watch until something happens. The village has no gates and opens out onto notorious Kirkwood Road West. This road is known for hoons who used to hoon quite regularly and do donuts at the village entry where the road is wider. I suspect that the police have put a stop to this for the time being.
The village residents were too afraid to phone the police so I advised them to put in a hoon report. They stated that they were not going out to see what the car was like or get a number plate - so that was useless.
The village is also open to the public especially on the foreshore where many houses have been broken into.
Since my husband and I began Neighbourhood Watch the incidents have not ceased. I keep a list of all incidents for future reference. Because of the negative atmosphere in this village towards Neighbourhood Watch I am very careful not to bombard everyone with info but I do try to put out a newsletter every 2 months to update people on the local situation in our area so as we can be aware.
I would like to have a morning tea with members of Neighbourhood Watch present as well as the Crime Prevention Officer from Tweed Police Station. The residents need to see a blue uniform and be advised on the role of the police. This may change the negative attitude in the village. In the meantime the residents continue to advise me of any incidents and I keep the list going. I believe that education from the police will stop the negativity and hopefully people will understand that they need to help themselves.
