Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby

eNewsletter #442 - 31 March 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!").

With the Federal Government cash assistance packages being offered and issued shortly, we must be vigilant and be aware of a potential increase in fraudulent activity. Some of these activities could include home maintenance offers with door to door ‘tradesmen’ offering to fix, seal and paint rooves, fix, seal and paint driveways, clear trees and branches etc. These types of fraudulent schemes only serve to take your hard-earned money. These people are NOT interested in your driveway, roof or trees – Just your money. If you have NOT solicited home maintenance works such as these or any others, then please do NOT engage their services and offers of work.

Please have a look at the links below where you can download your copy of the ‘Little Black Book of Scams’ and find a number of useful links regarding frauds and scams.

ACCC: The-little-black-book-of-scams

NSW Police: Scroll down to Useful_links

With more of our children being at home and with school holidays looming, self-isolation measures and travel bans have been put in place that will most likely result in children and young people spending more time online. While this is a great opportunity for them to learn at home and maintain their social contacts through such technologies as live streaming and Peer to Peer (P2P) communication facilities and apps, conversely this also allows children to communicate with people that may not be known to them. As parents and caregivers be sure to monitor your child’s internet use at home or on mobile devices and for more information on staying safe online go to:

NSW Police: Protect Your Children Online Fact Sheet

NSW Police: Cyber Security

Find the facts about COVID-19 hygiene at the government's website here.

Search “Coronavirus Australia” in the Apple App Store and on Google Play or visit www.australia.gov.au

These scams pretend to be from reputable organisations in the health sector or government, enticing you to find out about the latest ‘cases’, where to ‘get tested’ or providing fake advice and assistance about travel or working remotely.

Here’s what to look out for right now.
And sign up to our free email Alert Service here to stay up to date with the latest online threats. 

A 31 year old male from Blacktown came to notice after he was seen entering a number of properties in Asquith and stealing food from an outdoor fridge at one. Residents notified police who caught up with the male who stated he was currently between accommodation. He has been charged with Enter enclosed land, Enter prescribed premises, Steal property in dwelling and Break and enter. He will appear at court next month and has been given conditional bail preventing him from frequenting the area he committed the offences in.

A 27 year old male from Wahroonga has come to notice after urinating in a pot plant at Westfield Hornsby shopping centre before approaching an elderly male where he attempted to steal his wallet. A member of the public has witnessed his actions and intervened, with the male offender advancing towards him and assaulting him. Police attended and arrested the male where a search located property suspected to have been stolen on him. He was subsequently charged with Affray, Malicious damage, Willful and obscene exposure, Behave in an offensive manner and GIC [Goods In Custody - Ed]. He was given strict bail conditions including not to enter or go near Hornsby Westfield shopping centre.

An 18 year old male from Thornleigh has broken into Thornleigh Market Place shopping centre causing damage to the door. He was located a short time later asleep by security and charged by police with Enter building w/i [with intention -Ed] to commit indictable offence. He will appear at court later this month.

A 25 year old male from Asquith was involved in a road rage incident on the Pacific Hwy, Mount Colah. The male and the other driver have stepped out of their vehicles and confronted each other. The male offender has then retrieved a knife from his vehicle and advancing towards the other driver with it. The driver was able to return to his vehicle and leave the area unharmed. Police located the male a short time later and searched him and his vehicle locating a second knife. He was charged with Posses knife x2, Commit s114 offence and Armed with intent. He will face court in June.

A 19yo female from Hornsby was given a Criminal Infringement Notice (CIN) for shoplifting at Coles, Hornsby. the female had utilised the self serve check out and failed to pay for almost $200 worth of groceries. In addition to the CIN, she has also been banned from Hornsby Westfield shopping centre.

What would you do? Scenario 2:

It’s 11pm on Friday night. You’re relaxing at home, listening to some Barry Manilow 😊 when you hear loud shouting and music coming from the adjoining park. You look outside and see around 12 youths shouting, consuming alcohol and smoking.

1. Would you leave your home, approach them and ask them to quieten down and not involve the police as they are only young kids?

2. Would you shout from your balcony or front garden to tell them to be quiet and or move away?

3. Would you turn Barry up louder?

4. Would you take photographs of them or video record them to give to police as evidence of anti-social behaviour in your local park?

5. Would you call the police?

Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command's response: 

1. We would never encourage you to leave the safety of your home and confront the youths to quieten them down. This puts you in a very vulnerable position – especially if they were to turn on you. Plus, you do not know what they are capable of, for example, if they are prepared to use bottles or any other object as a weapon. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOME.

2. Neither would we encourage you to shout at them to be quiet and move away – this lets them know where you live and could potentially place you in harm’s way.

3. Barry isn’t too bad, but the validation of whether he is everyone’s choice is for another discussion at another time – but I wouldn’t turn him up louder – you’d may upset your neighbours as much as the youths are upsetting you.

4. If you record them by taking photographs or video recording then that is up to you. It could assist in identification but DO NOT make it obvious you are doing so – this too has the potential to aggravate the youths into escalating their anti-social behaviour.

5. YES, CALL THE POLICE – We will deal with it – this is a part of our job. Please understand though that we are a first response force and depending on the types of jobs we are either attending at the time or have yet to attend, we may not be able to get there immediately.

Publish date: 30 / 03 / 2020

This page is dedicated to providing the Hornsby Shire community with relevant information regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We will keep it updated as new information becomes available.

Published on 31 March 2020

This page provides information on the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation affecting Ku-ring-gai. The Council is maintaining its current service levels for essentials such as waste collection and road maintenance. Please check this page regularly for updates.

31 March, from Snap Send Solve: Social distancing is in full swing, however you may still spot issues in your community during short walks or a trip to the grocery store.
That’s why we're partnering with Neighbourhood Watch NSW to spread awareness of the Snap Send Solve platform. Snap Send Solve eliminates the need for face-to-face interaction and removes pressure from customer service desks, many of which are now closed.

More information and Download the App here.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A CONTACT WITH BOOMERANG BAGS? MAYBE THEY COULD RALLY AND HELP HERE IN AUSTRALIA.

How to make a face mask video and pattern can be found at this website: https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask. Deaconess is actually an American entity, not Australian. The filter is made from a new vacuum bag.

"Due to an outpouring of generous responses to our request for sewn masks, we have created this database to help connect individuals and companies making masks to those organizations needing masks."

Message from NSW State Emergency Operations Controller on "Public Health (COVID-19 Quarantine) Order 2020" - translated versions 

The NSW Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard MP, has issued the Public Health (COVID-19 Quarantine) Order 2020 under section 7 of the NSW Public Health Act 2010. This is available in 28 languages and details What you need to Know and What you need to Do.

If any person needs this message from the government about self quarantine, please email us for the pdf, stating which language is required: NHWKuringgaiHornsby@gmail.com

The Australian government has videos about covid-19 and health information online in all languages. If you know someone struggling with English, please point them in the right direction.

Videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/healthgovau/videos

Neighbourhood Watch received this request below from a resident yesterday. Please note, we are volunteer residents, just like you. We have no special powers. We are in self-isolation, just like you. We feel for our healthcare workers, just like you. We are all stressed!

If you have any concern, please contact the authorities yourselves. The information must come directly from you, rather than introduce a third party (NHW).

NHW is able to share warnings to the greater community, and point you in the correct direction (including NSW Fair Trading, ACCC, etc, as well as the NSW Police).

In an emergency always immediately ring 000.
If something is unjust or immoral, please follow it up yourselves.
If you see something illegal, please phone Hornsby police station 9476 9799.
If you have information about a crime, or potential crime, please phone Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

"As a Registered Nurse working during the Covid 19 pandemic, I was appalled to see a stand selling medical masks in Gordon today. It is a private enterprise selling medical masks to the public for profit. At the same time hospital staff on the front line cannot access this essential equipment.

As Gordon Shopping Centre falls under your jurisdiction, I ask you shut this down and encourage the operator to donate all stock to our local hospitals."

Have you downloaded the App? Official Government Information

You can use the Australian Government Coronavirus app to:

• - stay up to date with the official information and advice
• - important health advice to help stop the spread and stay healthy
• - get a quick snapshot of the current official status within Australia
• - check your symptoms if you are concerned about yourself or someone else
• - find relevant contact information
• - access updated information from the Australian Government
• - receive push notifications of urgent information and updates

Trusted, Australian information

All information in the Australian Government Coronavirus app is sourced from Australia’s leading health organisations and has undergone a quality assurance process so people can know it is safe, appropriate and relevant for Australians.

• Tip#4: Try and stay connected with your community. Use the network of services available, such as from your council, or non-government organisations, such as The Shed. Some organisations can arrange return transport from your home. 
  Ku-ring-gai Shed: 9983 9732, Hornsby Shed: 9634 6037, Berowra Shed:  0490 149 262.
• Tip#7: Red Cross Telecross Service 1300 885 698 gives those alone a daily call. It gives the confidence to remain independent via daily human contact. redcross.org.au/telecross
• Tip#9: Try the Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre 9988 4966– Neighbour Aid Friendly phone calls, Companionship home visits, Social Support, Shopping Bus, Transport to Essential Appointments.  Ask about their Mahjong dates.  Centres based at St Ives, Berowra & Galston. knc.org.au
• Tip#13: Never accept offers of work from door-to-door tradesmen - Report to Travelling Conman Hotline 1300 133 408. Only use tradies recommended to you, or that you have researched. Supervise them all the time in your home.
• Tip#14: Don't tell burglars you live alone. Leave an answering machine greeting that says "We can't come to the phone right now... ", even if you live alone. If someone is at the door, call out loudly to your imaginary room-mate that you will answer it, “Don’t worry—I’ll get it!” Don't list your first name on the apartment directory, or name plate.