Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby

eNewsletter #430 - 07 January 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!").

Around 2.00pm (Monday 6 January 2020), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting stationary speed enforcement, as part of Operation Interceptor, when they observed a black Kia Rio travelling in excess of the 50km per hour speed limit. Officers stopped the vehicle and asked the driver for a current licence. The man has allegedly accelerated away from police and a pursuit was initiated. The car traveled through Annandale, Stanmore, Newtown and Petersham allegedly hitting three parked cars. Despite suffering significant damage, the car continued, and the police pursuit was terminated for safety reasons. The man was located a short time later in Marrickville where he was arrested and submitted to alcohol and drug testing where he returned an initial positive test for drugs.

Police searched the car and seized drugs, money and drug paraphernalia. He was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with Class A motor vehicle exceed speed > 10 km/h, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, not obey direction of police/authorised person, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, three counts of negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm) (x3), drive while licence cancelled, not give particulars to other driver, possess prohibited drug (x2), possess/attempt to prescribed restricted substance and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (x2). He was refused bail to appear before Newtown Local Court today (Tuesday 7 January 2020).

Operation Interceptor is a high visibility traffic operation focused within the central metropolitan area, conducted by officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command with assistance from various Police Area Commands.

📱 Download the RFS “fires near me” app and put in “watch zones”. This will hopefully give you some notice. You can set up to 8 different zones for around friends/relatives etc if you wanted.
Fires Near Me NSW by NSW Rural Fire Service Apple: click here.
Fires Near Me NSW by NSW Rural Fire Service Android: click here.

📲Download the Emergency + app - if your calling for help this will assist with who to call and location details
Emergency + by National Triple Zero Awareness Work Group Apple: click here.
Emergency + by National Triple Zero Awareness Work Group Android: click here.

📕 have a plan for this situation, and make sure your partner/family know it too. Once you have a plan stick to it
- your plan should include options on where to go/roads to take depending on the fire/wind/weather - if fire is coming from the North go East or West like with a rip at the beach, or a LONG way South...(all obviously dependent on other fires/hazards/other fires/bush/roads etc) but always have at least 2 exit options from anywhere.

🚫 if your plan is to stay and defend your property
• DON'T rely on Electricity (TV/radio for updates, lights, your water pump...)
• DON'T rely on water mains and it’s pressure (a fire truck will take lots of water, council pumps feeding mains can and do fail, water mains can be turned off or damaged)
• DON'T get on the roof to watch the fire and fight the fire from up there - it likely won’t end well

• DO make sure you have suitable clothing, nothing synthetic, natural materials only (wool/cotton etc) long sleeves, long pants, solid enclosed footwear and a decent pair of leather work gloves. Get a decent hat, and make sure you tie your hair up under it if you have long hair - hair burns...

• DO make sure you have breathing protection (a dust mask is not suitable. Get at least a half face respirator with appropriate filters), Eye protection with decent goggles (if your planning on using ski goggles they’re likely too ventilated and you will suffer from the smoke). If your planning on using those old goggles sitting in the shed from 10 years ago with a foam “seal” around it, check the foam hasn’t perished otherwise this will have the potential of getting in your eyes and then you can’t see and can’t fight the fire - toss them and buy something decent - lots of places/brands have a “fire” goggles these days with a rubber lip seal rather than foam - And make sure they fit your face and seal around your head! Just like swimming goggles, they are useless if they let the water

• DO make sure your house is actually defendable (speak with any firefighters in the area, even before the event) and;
- get rid of trees/bushes that link from wind breaks or areas of bush that go right up to your house - these will bring a Fire right to your house
- consider non-flammable “mulch” like pebbles etc rather than leaves/compost/stuff that burns
- consider less flammable trees/bushes where possible (yes some are much more resistant)
- consider moving the wood pile away from the house for summer (do you really need it during summer at all anyway)
- consider moving the gas bottles away from the house (if they are just for heating, maybe speak with your supplier and get them to take them away for the summer?) at an absolute minimum have a look at the cylinder, identify the pressure relief valve, and make sure it’s pointing away from your house as it becomes a flame thrower when the cylinder builds up too much pressure and shoots out the gas/flames.
- consider your plastic garden furniture... it’s made from plastic...which is made from petroleum based products...which burn really really well

• MAKE SURE IF YOU LIVE IN A BUSH FIRE PRONE AREA THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH INSURANCE!
There are heaps of new regulations around what you can build, what kinds of materials, thicker window glass, steel mesh fly screens, roofing, vents, non-combustible materials etc that can all add a HUGE cost to rebuilding

• Be prepared to leave, have copies of critical/important documents scanned and emailed to yourself and saved - you can now access this stuff from anywhere in the world whenever you need (insurance docs/passports/current scripts/whatever you can think of)

• keys in the ignition of the car, car turned around in driveway ready to go.

• have a “go” bag packed with things like;
- phone charger (car and 240v)/leads and a battery pack (evacuation centre might not even have power)
- medications (For you and your PETS)
- phone book of relevant people/numbers ( I bet it’s all stored in your phone and you have little idea of many peoples phone numbers... but now your phone is flat and your borrowing a strangers phone to try and call family to let them know your safe...)
- change of clothes (they may end up being all the clothes you have for a bit, but don’t go stupid. You still need to be able to easily carry it)
- CASH. Cash is king. It doesn’t need electricity. It doesn’t need a phone line.
- perhaps some basic simple emergency food/drinking water and utensils (eating a can of baked beans isn’t fun without a spoon or fork but it is possible)
- your pets food too and lead/box
- keep your vehicle full of fuel and refill at 3/4 full...anybody see the lineup to try and get fuel on the south coast the last few days IF it’s available AT ALL!!!
- a portable hard-drive backup of the family PC. Storage these days can be pretty compact and you know you will want/need it
- Your camera phone, if you need to take a copy of a evacuation form, accommodation details, public notice or anything in general, just take a picture of it! The apps and phone are handy too obviously...

PLEASE DON'T LEAVE IT TOO LATE TO GO!
If your seeing a big wall of fire you’ve left it too late to go, now you have to bunker down in your house - wet towels around doors, garden hose hooked up to laundry taps, buckets of water scattered through out the house.

- test all your equipment (firefighting pump starts and runs and pumps water at pressure?).

Information by Leading Firefighter Dan Fish.

About 7.30pm (Friday 3 January 2020), emergency services responded to reports that two men were missing, and another had been pulled from the water with breathing difficulties in the Berowra National Park. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a man before he was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. Officers from Kuring-Gai Police Area Command attended and assisted by Police Rescue and the Police Diving Unit, commenced a search for the two men who failed to resurface after entering the water. About 11.30pm the search concluded after police divers located and retrieved the bodies of the missing pair. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or click here. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

With a very high to extreme fire danger forecast across parts of NSW, a total fire ban has been declared in 11 areas:
• Greater Hunter
• Greater Sydney Region
• Illawarra/Shoalhaven
• Far South Coast
• Monaro Alpine
• Southern Ranges
• Central Ranges
• Northern Slopes
• North Western
• Southern Slopes
• Eastern Riverina.

Due to the total fire ban anyone wishing to use fireworks, in those areas, is required to apply to the Rural Fire Service for an exemption. State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, said only those licensed – and who have been granted an exemption from the total fire ban rules – may use fireworks in NSW.

“I want to send a very clear message to those members of the general public who are thinking of setting off fireworks today: if you have not been granted an exemption you can expect to be dealt with under the full force of the law. “That means you will be issued with an on-the-spot fine of $2200, or if the matter goes to court you could receive a court-imposed penalty of up to $5500 and/or up to 12 months gaol. “Using fireworks should be left to the professionals as they are dangerous and can cause significant injury or even death. “Police want everyone to enjoy New Year’s Eve festivities but to celebrate with safety mind, and to comply with the total fire ban,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

NSW Police also reminds people not to use marine flares unlawfully: flares are emergency warning signals, designed for a specific purpose. Anyone caught using a distress signal/marine flare without a legitimate purpose can receive an on-the-spot fine of $1000.

Additionally, the penalty for disposing of cigarette butts illegally is doubled during a total fire ban, so those caught will be liable for a fine $1320.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnesses another person using fireworks, or conducting illegal activities during the total fire ban period, to contact their local police or the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. Call Triple Zero (000) if it’s an emergency.

For additional information about the rules relating to total fire bans click here. 

Whilst we appreciate any tribute to our firefighters, Fire and Rescue NSW are not behind any official call to place ribbons anywhere. We encourage anyone who has a Static Water Supply (SWS: pool, dam, large water tank) to instead fix a SWS sign to their mailbox or front fence. You can get an SWS sign from our local fire station or otherwise write it on your fence or mailbox and our crews will know they can access this water supply should they need to.

Thank you to everyone who is thinking of us, sending their thanks and words of support, we really appreciate it and it means a lot.

✅ Check that everything is locked and secured before leaving. Lock ALL windows, doors, garden shed, gates, garages and any other areas of your home that can be secured.
✅ Ask a friend or neighbour to park in your driveway.
✅ Ask trusted friends or neighbours to clear your mailbox and check on your home occasionally while you are away; advise them of where you can be contacted.
✅ Make sure that the lawn does not become overgrown.
✅ Stop all deliveries that you are expecting.
✅ Ensure your phone message doesn’t state that you are away on holidays as this may give thieves the information that they desire.
✅ Pay essential services bills in advance: electricity, gas, water, telephone so that your supply continues while you’re away.
✅ If valuable items are left in the home ensure that your Property Inventory is up-to-date.
✅ Lock the electricity meter box to prevent thieves interfering with your power supply or security lighting (contact your local electricity provider for more information).
✅ Check with your local police station to see if they offer patrol services for unattended residences during holiday season.
✅ When packing for a holiday, avoid packing your vehicle the night before as it will become an attractive target for a thief.

To prepare your home over the holiday period watch video here.

Numerous bush and grass fires have impacted the state, claiming the lives of 18 people and destroying hundreds of millions of animals and livestock, thousands of homes, and more than 4.9 million hectares of land, so far this bushfire season.

Since Friday 8 November 2019, legal action – which ranges from cautions through to criminal charges – has been taken against 183 people – including 40 juveniles – for 205 bushfire-related offences.

Of note:
- 24 people have been charged over alleged deliberately-lit bushfires
- 53 people have had legal actions for allegedly failing to comply with a total fire ban, and
- 47 people have had legal actions for allegedly discarding a lighted cigarette or match on land.

Full Media Release here.

“When you write a date on a document, don't shorthand the year 2020 to just ‘20’.” Is the advice from consumer advocates. That's because scammers and scoundrels could turn it into '2019', for example, and that can lead to nasty cases of fraud. Ain't nobody got time for that…

Full CNN article here.

Raffle fundraising is used for brigade grants throughout the year, sponsorship of RFS events, scholarships, chaplaincy and welfare. We work closely with the RFS chaplains to support firefighters in need. We bring the ideas and opinions of our members to the RFS and Government using a collaborative approach, for more information please visit our website www.rfsa.org.au In the current fire situation we provide practical support to RFS volunteers and staff in the form of additional meal options, clean t-shirts and care packs.

If you ever have concerns about calls you have received, you can always call the RFSA office on (02) 4723 3400 and we can assist in confirming that your support has been received. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Hornsby Community Recycling Centre, click here.

Read more here.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact North Shore Police on 9414 8499 or Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.

Friday, December 27: he travelled on a 12:30pm bus from Wollongong to Central Station, then took a bus from Central to St Peters.
Saturday, December 28: he travelled by train from Sydenham to Bondi Junction around 10am to 11am. He then took a bus from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach, arriving around 12pm. After spending the day at Bondi Beach, he then returned home on the same route around 5pm.
Sunday, December 29: he travelled by train from Sydenham Station to Central Station at 11am and then took a train from Central Station to Berowra Station at 12:15pm. He returned on a train from Berowra Station to Central Station at 3pm, then another train from Central Station to Sydenham Station.
Monday, December 30: he went to Marrickville Metro between 3pm and 4pm.
Tuesday, December 31: he went to Marrickville Metro and a GP in Marrickville from around 10:30am to 1:30pm.

There’s no ongoing risk at those places, but please be on the look out for symptoms, which include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body. If you do develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not wait in the waiting with others.

For more information on measles, please click here. 

Drone Rules: Australian Government Civil Aviation Safety Authority, click here.
And a suggestion: Attaching a return address somehow might help identification.

Contact us here for FREE use of an engraver and/or ultra-violet pen, along with advice on the best ways to mark your property.
Take a look at what else you can get from NHW via our website here.