Welcome to the introductory issue of Bundeena Watch, a newsletter published by the Bundeena Progress Association to help promote safety and security in the community of Bundeena and Maianbar. While statistics indicate that our community is a very safe place, anyone affected personally by crime will likely argue that even one criminal event is too many, regardless of what the statistics say. Most of us will admit that our community is a safe place to live, work, and play; but that there is always room for improvement and a bit of prevention to deal with potential problems.
A newsletter on its own will not reduce crime or make our community a safer place. Our goal is to make this newsletter a tool to increase community awareness of safety and security measures to deal with real and potential hazards. We hope to offer realistic suggestions on what you can do to improve your own security and safety. We hope to get neighbours talking to each other about crime prevention, and about how we can help each other. We hope you will identify and assist anyone who might need some special help but who doesn't know how or where to ask. It's really all about fostering well-being in our community by supporting one another and working together to get the results we need.
To help ensure that we address your safety and security issues in this newsletter, we ask that you pass your concerns and questions to us. You can send a letter to Bundeena Watch, P.O. Box 3030, Bundeena NSW 2230; or you can send an email to:
Please note that any specific crime issues should be reported to the Sutherland Police.
Police Statistics on Reported Crime
The Sutherland Local Area Command (LAC) have policing responsibility for Bundeena, which makes up 2.3% of the population of the entire LAC. The following crime statistics from 2004 outline how Bundeena compared with the rest of the LAC:
Malicious Damage: The most reported crime in Bundeena, but only 1.1% of the total malicious damage in the entire LAC.
Stealing: The second most reported crime, and 1.1% of the LAC total. Note that many of the offenses occurred in the Royal National Park.
Assault: The only offense that approached population statistics, at 2.2% of the LAC total. 70% of assaults occurred in residential locations, suggesting that public areas are very safe in Bundeena.
Others: For all other crimes, the rate in Bundeena was lower than the 2.3 %population percentage. For example, 1.4% of break, enter and steal offenses and 1% of motor vehicle thefts took place in Bundeena.
An important issue to keep in mind: Statistics will only reflect crimes that are reported. If you are the victim of a crime, please report it to the police!
Help Stop Home Break-Ins*
The following is a list of measures that can help reduce the chances of your home being burglarised:
Ensure all perimeter fences are in good order and that gates are kept closed and locked.
Trim trees and shrubs from around doors and windows so as not to provide concealment to intruders and increase visibility to and from the street.
Install quality security lights around the perimeter of your home to provide more effective illumination at night.
The power board to your home should be housed within a metal cabinet secured with an electricity authority lock to restrict tampering.
All perimeter doors to your home should be of solid construction and fitted with quality dead lock sets.
All perimeter windows should be secured with key operated locks.
Glass within doors and windows should be reinforced by either adhering a shatter resistant film, replacing with laminated glass, or having quality metal security grilles or shutters fitted.
Record descriptions, models, and serial numbers of all your valuables to assist in identification should they be lost or stolen.
Engrave your driver's licence number prefixed by "NSW" on all valuable items to assist in identification.
Photograph jewellery and other collectables for identification.
Consider having a monitored intruder alarm system installed. Obtain at least three quotes from licensed security companies.
Garages should be locked to restrict access. Roller tilt and panel lift doors can be secured with additional lock sets in the form of hasp and staple or padlocks.
Garden sheds should be securely anchored to the ground to prevent lifting. A suitable lock set should also be fitted.
Garden tools, equipment, and ladders should be locked away when not in use to prevent them from being used to gain access to your home.
Exchange telephone numbers with your neighbors, and contact each other if you think you see or hear any suspicious activity. Report suspicious activity to the Sutherland Police.
Display street number at the front of your home to assist emergency services in locating your home.
* Most of the Information above was taken from the NSW Police “Crime Prevention” pamphlet, which is available on the NSW Police web site.
Before you go*
If you'll be away from your home for more than a couple of days:
Ensure that everything is secured.
Maintain a "lived in" appearance by using timer devices to turn lights and radios on/off.
Leave emergency contact procedures with trusted neighbors.
Stop deliveries and have trusted friends clear your mailbox.
Arrange to have your lawn cut and property kept tidy.
Turn your phone volume down.
Ask a trusted friend or relative to occasionally check your home.
Have a trusted neighbor park their car in your driveway.
* From the NSW Police "Home Security Tips for when you're away" pamphlet.
Contacts
Emergency - Police, Fire, Ambulance
000
To report a crime in progress, life threatening or other emergency situation.
Sutherland Police Station:
9542-0899
To report any suspicious activity.
Non-Emergency Police Assistance Line
131 444
To report a minor crime that has already been committed and which does no involve traumatized victims or require police attendance.
Crime Stoppers:
1 800 333 000
This policing service gathers details of criminal activity volunteered by members of the public. Cash rewards of up to $1,000 are available if this information leads to an arrest. Information can be given anonymously.
Bundeena Watch is published by a sub-committee of the Bundeena Progress Association. Our goal is to help improve safety and security in our community. We welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can meet this goal. We also encourage community members to submit ideas for future articles, lessons learnt from your own security and safety-related experiences, questions, or tips on how to improve personal security.
Coming next issue: How to protect yourself against phone, mail, internet, and door-to-door scams; plus your questions on security and safety answered.
