CALLS KEEP COMING AND THEY NEED TO

After four months of operations calls continue to come into Crimestoppers which confirms that the service offered is wanted and needed. Nearly 2200 calls have been received with over 900 categorised as actionable, that is, there is enough information in quantity and quality for the Police to take some action. The dominant crime reported continues to be drugs. Not surprising given the misery that this crime brings to family, friends and employers. Keep that information coming because this crime is directly tied to a number of other crimes, crimes involving violence, both domestic and common assaults, burglaries to support the drug habit, property damage and possession of illegal weapons to name but a few. However, it is important that people with information about crime and criminals don't ignore what they see as lesser crimes. These invariably embolden young criminals to commit more serious crimes. One crime which is very prevalent in our society is domestic violence in all its forms. It is important that relatives and friends who know this is occurring do not ignore it. What are you going to feel like, if you find that one day, as a result of domestic violence you knew about, resulted in someone being killed? We are all responsible to ensure that we look out for the most vulnerable people in our society, especially children. Children should be able to trust adults to look after them and ensure their safety. There are numerous recent incidents where adults failed innocent children. If you have information about crime ring 0800 555 111 or use the online message form on this website. DON'T BE IN THE POSITION OF HAVING HAD IGNORED A CRIME WHICH IN THE END LEAD TO A DEATH PARTICULARLY OF A CHILD.

EVEN GREATER NEED TO GIVE INFORMATION ON CRIME

Over the last three days we have heard about three serious assaults on NZ Police as they were fulfilling their duties to the citizens of New Zealand. One of the Police assaulted was actually not on duty but put himself at risk to try and defuse a situation. This type of selfless action we have come to expect from our Police. Unfortunately the violent behaviour of those involved in the incidents is becoming all too common. The incidents indicate a lack of values, as values underpin behaviour, and the growing culture of resorting to violence as a method of dealing with a situation. This tendency to violent behaviour whether it be to people or animals, needs to be dealt with as soon as it is identified within an individual. Ignoring violence will not make it go away. It needs to be dealt with before a tragic incident occurs. If you see violent behaviour take action, whether it be in a domestic situation, in the school yard or while socialising, call the Police or if not possible give the information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Don't ignore it. Next time the individual may kill someone and then how would you feel. The murders of the Taxi driver in Auckland, the young mum in Christchurch and now an elderly woman in Christchurch in her own home bring home to us the tragic result of violent behaviour.

UNSOLVED CRIMES

There are a number of unsolved crimes in New Zealand, from not so serious crimes to serious crimes, like a number of murders, including one we have been featuring on our home page. It is most unlikely that these crimes have been committed and the only person who knows of them is the person who did the crime. People close to the person who commited the crime will have seen changes in behaviour, blood on clothes, a likely weapon, unexplained absences at the time of the crimes, property that has appeared that has not been purchased, extra unexplained money and so on. People close to the criminal don't want to believe ill of the person they live with, know, are related to, and so rationalise away the thought of them committing the crime. It is easy to do especially if it is a loved one who is suspected. Is it legal? is it justified? is it fair? is it fair to the victim's family, will you ever be at peace? These questions must be asked. If you have this type of information go to the Police in the first instance, but if this is too much give the information to Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555 111 or by using the online encrypted message form. This will give you peace of mind and more importantly closure to the loved ones of the victim of the crime. Put yourself in their place and ask yourself; how would you feel?