I thought that the neighbourhood watch scheme was a great idea until we got one. Could someone please tell me what the difference is apart from paying to have a few signs strapped to the odd lamp post or two and a discount on my home insurance.
As far as I can see nothing has changed. If there is any trouble or the usual wanton vanadalism of cars I will continue to report them as before and other people will ignore it as before and the police will ignore it as before!
What's changed?
Neighbourhood Watch
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Hell's Cat
- Posts: 143
- Joined: 21 Nov 2002, 09:34
- Location: Portobello
- Contact:
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Guest
Positive thinking, Hell's Cat! People have been talking about setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme in Rosefield for as long as I have lived here. We finally got it off the ground and the signs have now been erected. Now we need to meet to decide how we are going to run it to best advantage. We already have an email distribution list, a network of BRA street reps and a sponsored newsletter, as well as a number of people who have volunteered to act as NW street co-ordinators. Those who expressed an interest have had security checks carried out on their homes by community police officers.
I have also helped to set up a Portobello-wide NW association and I'm meeting with the chair this evening to discuss the agenda for a meeting on 10 August. More details nearer the time - hope you will be able to come along. This will be attended by Station Inspector Bob Wardrop (among others) and will include reps from all the NW schemes we have been able to identify in the Portobello area. We hope to learn from each other's experiences, adopt best practice solutions and to encourage others to set up similar schemes in their area. The NW Association will also be represented at Community Council meetings.
The signs themselves have some deterrent value (and if you qualify for a discount on your insurance that has to be a bonus) but the real value of these schemes lies in communication and the old fashioned virtue of simply being a good neighbour.
Will be in touch soon to arrange a Rosefield NW meeting.
I have also helped to set up a Portobello-wide NW association and I'm meeting with the chair this evening to discuss the agenda for a meeting on 10 August. More details nearer the time - hope you will be able to come along. This will be attended by Station Inspector Bob Wardrop (among others) and will include reps from all the NW schemes we have been able to identify in the Portobello area. We hope to learn from each other's experiences, adopt best practice solutions and to encourage others to set up similar schemes in their area. The NW Association will also be represented at Community Council meetings.
The signs themselves have some deterrent value (and if you qualify for a discount on your insurance that has to be a bonus) but the real value of these schemes lies in communication and the old fashioned virtue of simply being a good neighbour.
Will be in touch soon to arrange a Rosefield NW meeting.