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Community support has fuelled the replacement car for the Papakura Community Patrol.
On August 29, Papakura Community Patrol patron Judith Collins officially handed over the keys of the new vehicle to the patrol.
Papakura Community Patrol committee member and past chairman Glenn Torrens said the patrol had two Renault Capturs, but they struggled with the slow speeds patrolling required, damaging the gearboxes.
“We now have a Mitsubishi ASX, it’s a small SUV. It had 5km on the clock when I drove it out of the yard. It’s been sign-written, and all our gear installed, with the spotlights too.”
Torrens said a lot of work had gone into getting the new vehicle and wanted to thank the Papakura and Drury Rotary Clubs, Manukau Autos, Community Patrols New Zealand (CPNZ), and Pukekohe Auto Electrical for their support.
Manukau Autos will supply free servicing and registration for the next five years, while Aaron from Pukekohe Auto Electrical installed the light bar and extra power supplies.
Torrens said the patrol hoped to replace its second vehicle soon.
The patrol covers from Waiata Shores (northern Takanini) down to Drury, and out to Ardmore and Karaka.
“After Covid, getting volunteers was hard. Pre-Covid days, we were sitting at just over 60 volunteers. After Covid we dropped to the 40s, and it’s taken a long time to build it back up. We’re just under 60 volunteers now,” Torrens said.
“We have a programme that CPNZ and the police have created, called Patrol to Police. It’s for people who are interested in joining the police to gain some experience by being a member of the patrol. We might only have them for six to 12 months because they’re then off to Police College. We have six on our patrol at the moment.”
Torrens said if you are looking to help your community with a great group of people that only want what is best for the community, join the patrol.
“The more people we have, the more patrols we can run. We’re patrolling six days a week now, but there are holes in the roster to fill.”
- Contact the admin team on papakura@cpnz.org.nz for more information.
