Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby

eNewsletter #448 - 12 May 2020

This weekly eNewsletter is compiled by Neighbourhood Watch volunteers as a service for residents in Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby council areas. The eNewsletter is a new type of Neighbourhood Watch; utilising the available technology to keep people more connected and up-to-date with local crime and safety issues. 

The eNewsletter includes a selection of posts from the Ku-ring-gai PAC Facebook page (also known as 'eyewatch'), primarily for those not familiar with Facebook. We add anything interesting from a Neighbourhood Watch point-of-view - this could be a local newspaper article, a roadwork warning, crime prevention tip(s), an upcoming Neighbourhood Watch meeting, Q&As from residents, or an item from an other Police command ("Crooks know no boundaries!").

• 👉🏼 If someone is at the door and you are alone and feel a bit frightened, pretend there is someone else in the house.
• 👉🏼 If someone wants to use your telephone for an emergency, don’t feel rude not to let them in. Offer to make the call for them – if they are genuine, they won’t mind.
• 👉🏼 Be suspicious of people requesting entry to your home to check appliances or equipment. Ask to see their identity card and take time to look at it  carefully before letting them in. If you are still unsure, ring their company to check. If in doubt, keep them out.
• 👉🏼 Make sure your home number can be clearly seen from the street. This not only helps in emergencies but helps visitors to find your home (and not accidentally going to the wrong address!)
• 👉🏼 Be discreet if you live alone. It is better not to indicate on house directories or name plates that you are a Ms, Miss, Mrs or Mr. Just use your surname.
• 👉🏼 If you live alone, make arrangements to have regular contact with someone your trust. Try setting up a code like three rings on a telephone each morning, or simply lifting your blind up at the start of each day so they know you’re okay.

ALWAYS call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

• Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people
• Cafes and restaurants can seat 10 patrons at any one time
• Households can have up to 5 visitors at any one time
• Weddings can have up to 10 guests
• Indoor funerals can have up to 20 mourners, outdoor funerals up to 30
• Religious gatherings and places of worship can have up to 10 worshippers
• Outdoor equipment can be used with caution
• Outdoor pools can open with restrictions

If you’re on school drop off or pick up:

• - Drop your kids off and pick them up on the school side of the road 🏫
• - It’s safest for your kids to get out of the car door on the kerb side of the road 🚗
• - Always use the kiss and drop facilities if your school has them 😘
• - If you’re walking with your child, use pedestrian crossings where possible and always hold their hand (up to the age of 10) 🚸

• Even on the footpath,
• even at the lights,
• even crossing the road,
• even at the ATM.

#covid19 #coronavirusaustralia

At Hornsby police station, the driver was subjected to oral fluid testing which indicated a postive result to Cocaine, THC & Meth (sample sent FASS re: analysis certificate). As a result the driver was charged with;

• 1. Class A motor vehicle Exceed Speed Limit over 30kmh
• 2. Drive whilst Disqualified from holding a licence - 2nd+ offence
• 3. Possess Prohibited Drug (0.86gm)
• 4. Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen
• 5. Custody of a knife in a public place
• 6. Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit

Final drug lab results are pending for a further charge of; Drive with illicit drug in oral fluid - 2nd+ offence. The driver was refused bail to Hornsby Local Court. He appeared this instance and remanded in custody to Hornsby Local Court 10 June 2020.

Shockingly, three men in NSW were arrested and charged in one week alone for allegedly purchasing child-like sex dolls, thanks to the work of AFP, Australian Border Force and NSW Police Force officers.

While some may think these dolls are harmless, the reality these dolls sexualise children and are harmful. They do not prevent future offending. Research by the Australian Institute of Criminology shows sexualised dolls can desensitise people who use them to the real-life physical, emotional and psychological harm caused to children by sexual abuse. It suggests the use of these dolls may lead to an escalation in child sex offences – from viewing online child abuse material to contact sexual offending.

These men each face a potential 15 years jail if convicted of possessing one of the dolls, under a new Commonwealth offence introduced in September 2019 to combat child abuse-related offences. The AFP and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting our children and keeping our community safe.

Anyone in the community with information relating to child exploitation or related activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report via www.crimestoppers.com.au

#7dayonlinesafetychallenge #OnlineSafety ThinkUKnow Australia

• 1. See what can be found around the home that should go into the kit.
• 2. Make a shopping list for anything that is missing or needs replacing/updating.
• 3. Put together a list of emergency contact numbers – keep a copy in your emergency kit and another copy on the fridge.
• 4. Keep your kit in a waterproof storage container.
• 5. Set a reminder in your calendar to check and restock your emergency kit every 6 months.

For more information, click here.

• Tip#14: UPDATE YOUR HOUSE INSURANCE. WALK ROUND THE HOUSE WITH A VIDEO CAMERA, RECORDING OBJECTS & CONTENTS IN EACH ROOM, OPENING ALL DRAWERS & CUPBOARDS. Include the shed, garage, garden ornaments, roof space, cellar, etc. Store this video safely off-site (eg at work or with a trusted relative).
• Tip#15: LIST ROOM-BY-ROOM YOUR VALUABLES WITH MODELS & SERIAL NUMBERS etc. PHOTOGRAPH ALL JEWELLERY ITEMS WITH A RULER ADJACENT FOR SCALE. Keep the list & photos safely off-site. 
• Tip#16: ENGRAVE YOUR LICENCE NUMBER ON VALUABLE PROPERTY. SENSITIVE ARTICLES (eg screens, laptops) CAN BE MARKED WITH AN ULTRA-VIOLET PEN. Ask your Crime Prevention Officer (CPO) for the loan of an engraver and/or UV Pen. Contact CPO at Hornsby Police Station: 9746 9799.
• Tip#17: NOTE WHERE YOUR ELECTRICITY MAINS SWITCH IS AND THE WATER & GAS SUPPLY SHUT-OFFS FOR YOUR PROPERTY. Consider an ETSA padlock on the meter cupboard (a special lock available from locksmiths). 

Apparently they intend to give him a really tough sentence.