Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby
eNewsletter #563 - 26 July 2022
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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 our local police at 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 another Police command ("Crooks know no boundaries!").
🚓 Have you seen anything we should share with the community? Please email our NHW in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby volunteers. We do value your contributions and thank you for your support.
🚓 Please feel free to share/forward this eNewsletter with your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours.
🚓 Reading our eNewsletter for the first time? Click here to subscribe.
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26 July, from Ku-ring-gai Command: Galston Road, Galston Gorge Rehabilitating Slopes
Transport for NSW | July 2022
Unprecedented ongoing rainfall this year has led to eight slippage sites along Galston Road between Hornsby Heights and Galston.
In May 2022, we advised that Galston Road will be reclosing to complete further remediation works at slippage site 3.
These works are now scheduled to be carried out from Monday 8 August, taking up to two months to complete, weather permitting.
For more details, please see the correspondence below.
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24 July, from Ku-ring-gai Command: Man charged with murder after body of woman located - Dural
A man will appear in court today charged after the body of a woman was located during a search in Sydney’s north west.
Strike Force Casts was established by Kuring Gai Police Area Command, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Missing Persons Registry, to investigate the disappearance of a 43-year-old woman from Dural.
The woman was reported missing to police on Thursday morning (21 July 2022).
As part of the investigation, co-ordinated searches of the surrounding areas were undertaken over the last three days, with assistance from PolAir and the Dog Unit.
About 5.50pm yesterday (Saturday 23 July 2022), police located the body of a woman during the search in bushland off Laurie Road, Dural.
A crime scene was established, which is being examined by specialist forensic police.
The body is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be that of the missing woman.
Just after 11.30pm, investigators arrested a 37-year-old man at a home on Taylors Road, Dural.
He was taken to Hornsby Police Station and charged with murder (DV). The man was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 24 July 2022).
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or visit site here. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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22 July, from Ku-ring-gai Command
Triple zero (000) in Australia is seeing an increase in demand due to the current influenza and Covid environment.
Reminder: Save Triple Zero (000) for saving lives. This will help ensure that emergency services can help those most in need, where every second matters.
Triple Zero (000) is for medical emergencies, not health advice.
If you are seeking non-urgent health advice:
- Get in touch with your GP
- Call Healthdirect for free on 1800 022 222
- Visit the Healthdirect website here.
Watch video here.
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20 July, from Ku-ring-gai Command:
Kuring Gai Police Area Command would like to wish Chief Inspector Luke Spurr (pictured centre) all the best in his retirement after 35 years of distinguished service to the people of New South Wales.
Chief Inspector Spurr commenced with the NSW Police in 1987 where he was stationed at Ryde. He completed a stint in Region North Major Crime Squad where his career in Investigations and Detectives commenced. Chief Inspector Spurr continued investigations at Chatswood, Lane Cove and Eastwood where he achieved his designation as a Detective in 1998.
In April 2000, Chief Inspector Spurr promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he transferred to Finley and was promoted to Senior Sergeant at Darling River Command in 2001. Later that year, Chief Inspector Spurr returned to Eastwood where he remained until being promoted to the rank of Inspector in 2003 where he worked as a Duty Officer at Camden. Chief Inspector Spurr worked as a Duty Officer at Manly for five years before transferring to Kuring Gai in 2011 where he attained rank of Chief Inspector.
Chief Inspector Spurr has been awarded the NSW Police Medal with 3rd Clasp, the National Medal with 1st Clasp and the Commissioner of Police Emergency Commendation.
We would like to thank Chief Inspector SPURR for his devotion and dedication to the NSW Police Force and the community of NSW especially the community of Hornsby and Kuring Gai. We wish you all the best as you embark on the next chapter with your family.
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25 July, from nhwq.org: Here's a great blog to remind us about being a good neighbour.
We are all encouraged to use the many options we have to protect our homes. These include quality locks, security screens, alarms, security cameras, timers and good security habits. Even if we use all of these, most of us aren’t going to be home 24 hours every day and there are times when our homes are more vulnerable. Hopefully, using those security items we have will prevent someone from breaking into our homes while we are absent.
read more here.
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25 July, from Transport for NSW
You get a mask, you get a mask, everybody gets a mask! Over 2 million masks have been handed out at train stations on the network since April this year 
Wearing a mask helps keep you and others safe. It's also mandatory on public transport and in waiting areas     
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25 July, from smh.com.au: Man charged with murder after missing woman’s body found dumped at Dural
A man has been charged with the murder of a woman whose body was discovered dumped in bushland in Sydney’s Hills District on Saturday evening.
The body is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be that of missing woman Shereen Kumar, 43. Police were told that Kumar vanished while dressed in her pyjamas after leaving her home on Taylors Road in Dural on Wednesday night.
The body was located just before 6pm on Saturday by police scouring bushland off Laurie Road at Dural, a few minutes’ drive from Kumar’s home.
The accused man, 37-year-old Vincent Carlino, was arrested later that evening at a home on Taylors Road in Dural and was taken to Hornsby police station where he was charged with the domestic-related murder of the woman.
Carlino appeared in Parramatta Bail Court via video link on Sunday, and was refused bail.
More details here.
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25 July, from Australian Communications and Media Authority
Scammers use fake numbers so you can’t tell who’s calling or texting. If you don’t know who’s calling your phone, don’t answer. Let the call go to voicemail if you’re unsure who it is.
Be alert if the caller:
• claims to be from your phone or bank company
• asks for your personal information
• wants to control or access your computer
Find out more on how to protect yourself from phone scams here.
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24 July, from Crime Stoppers NSW: 10 MOST MISUNDERSTOOD ROAD RULES #6 USING HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS
High Beam:
A driver must not use their headlights on high beam if travelling
 less than 200m behind a vehicle travelling in the same direction less than 200m from an oncoming vehicle
Must not dazzle:
A driver must not use any light fitted to their vehicle that may dazzle another road user.
Fog lights:
A driver is only permitted to use fog lights if driving in fog, mist or other atmospheric condition that restricts visibility.
Spot lights:
A driver may only use a spot or search light if:
the vehicle is stationary and the light is being used for making adjustments or repairs to a vehicle. The light must not be projected more than six metres.
The light is used temporarily to read a house umber or notice board.
It is recommended that in some daytime situations driving with the vehicle’s headlights on can improve the likelihood of being seen by other road users.
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24 July, from Neighbourhood Watch Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby: FAQ #29: IS IT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A HOUSE NUMBER ON THE KERB?
Neighbourhood Watch Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby has researched several new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to upload to our website. This one advises about displaying a house number on your kerb. Thank you to our Crime Prevention Officer, Snr Cst Colin Mitchell for his assistance with this FAQ.
Have you a question that we could answer? Let us share it with the community. Please email us at: NHWKuringgaiHornsby@gmail.com
Proud to announce
As part of the research for the above FAQ #28 and the next FAQ #29 in the series, we are proud to have negotiated a discount for the purchase of a house number/name from a local signage business. There will be more information to share next week, along with the next FAQ #29 - IS IT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A HOUSE NUMBER ON THE KERB?
NOTE: NHW cannot endorse any product or service. You must do your own research.
We are also investigating appropriate stencils for the painting of kerb house numbers.
Please would you measure the height of your kerb from the road to the top of the kerb, about 60cm from your driveway entrance and email us? We need to know whether we can accommodate as many kerb heights as possible in our two council areas (Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby) and are curious how everyone's kerb height varies. Please would you help? Thank you.
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23 July, from the hub.nrma.com.au: Must-have items for your car emergency kit
Whether you’re embarking on a road trip with friends to the snowy mountains or visiting family in another state, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for unexpected situations that might occur – like a flat tyre or an accidental wrong turn.
So, before you buckle in and begin your adventure, be prepared for anything while you’re out on the road by packing these essential items in your car emergency kit.
Read details here.
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21 July, from Chiefly Police District
CCTV cameras are a great safety addition to any home or business. It is great to see more people installing them on their properties. Attached below are some tips on making the most of you CCTV camera's and getting the best view from them.
If you have installed CCTV cameras NSW Police would appreciate you help by registering your cameras with us. You can register by following the link below. By doing this you may be able to assist police with incidents that occur in your area.
The link.
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21 July, Shared with permission from the Gordon Community group:
Hello Members, I am asking if anyone witnessed (or know someone who witnessed) a road bike I was riding on the Pacific Highway just south of the intersection of St Johns Ave getting tangled up with a truck ( it was not 1.5 metres away!) causing me to fall and sustain serious injuries. The accident occurred between 10:30 am and 11am on Wednesday, 22 June. I know a number of persons came to me after the accident, traffic was diverted around the truck and an ambulance was called. If you witnessed the accident or the aftermath of the accident (or know someone who did) , please contact me by email on greg@ganzlegal.com. au as the insurance company managing the CTP claim is interesting in trying to identify the at fault truck.. Many thanks.
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21 July, Shared with permission from the Mt Colah/ Kuring-gai Families group:
I contacted the council via the Snap send solve app with regards to a fox sighting and this is the gist of what they had to say, I thought it was useful so sharing here:
Under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015, Council can only control foxes on land it owns or manages, which is only a small proportion of land within the Shire. Most land is either National Park or privately owned, and Council has no power to force other landholders to control foxes on their land. What is more, foxes freely roam across land boundaries so it’s difficult for a single land holder make a difference, as new pest animals simply move into the vacated areas. The National Parks and Wildlife Service currently undertakes a fox baiting program in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Their aim, however, is not eradicated foxes but to reduce the pressure on the threatened Southern Brown Bandicoot population found there. They do not bait in Berowra Valley National Park because there are no significant threatened fauna populations there that meet their criteria. There is also a severe limitation on fox control techniques that can be used in residential areas. So, unfortunately, until new and effective control measures are developed, we may have to accept that foxes will always be around.
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20 July, from Ryan Irlam, Thornleigh, NSW
Unfortunately I was a victim of a hit and run at approx 3am on Saturday 16/07. The other driver was speeding (easily 80-100km/h in a 50 zone before he slammed on his brakes) and T-boned me as I was completing a U-turn, completely writing my car off and failed to stop to exchange details, I was unable to get the plate number and the police are also looking for the driver.
I suspect he was under the influence at the time. I sustained minor injuries in the crash as the airbags failed to deploy - he didn’t even stop to see if we were okay.
My car is red so there would definitely be signs of red paint on the car as well. I have never been hit by anything so hard in my life. The only information I have:
White Toyota Hilux
Single cab
Older model (I’m thinking around 2008)
Alloy tray
Would definitely have a damaged front end and missing badge (because I have it)
I suspect he lives around Norman Avenue, Thornleigh, NSW.
Any information, please contact me - I would love to find out anything I can.
I tell you what though, these Mazda beasts can take a hit. The damage vs how hard he hit us almost confuses me.
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20 July, Thanks to Crime Stoppers NSW. What is the fastest growing crime in the country?
Watch video here.
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Dates for the Diary
Wednesday 27 July: Neighbourhood Watch Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby 'All Areas' meeting #34 @ 6pm @ PCYC, 1 Park Ln, Waitara or online (tbc)
Sunday 28 August: Woodchop Festival Berowra, Warrina Street Oval 10am. NHW crime prevention stall? tbc
Sunday 04 - Saturday 10 September: National Child Protection week
Thursday 08 September: RU OK? Day Info.
Wednesday 14 September: Hornsby RSL Coffee Club - Speaker: NHW Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby 10am-12
Sunday 18 September: Bobbin Head Classic charity bike ride
Sunday 25 September: St Ives Food & Wine Festival 10am - NHW crime prevention stall? tbc
Wednesday 05 October: International Coffee with a Cop Day.
November: Neighbourhood Watch Week
November: NHW Gordon/Killara/East Killara/part Pymble/part St Ives AGM tbc
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From NHW in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby: 'Our 20 Favourite Crime Prevention Tips for the Staff in Aged Care'
Tip #1. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HANDBAG, PHONE, KEYS, ETC ON DISPLAY. Thieves
will distract you and take your property. Personal items should be kept
in a locked cabinet/drawer.
Tip #10. HOLD STAFF TRAINING WITH RESPECT TO THE MANAGING OF
RESIDENTS’/PATIENTS’ PERSONAL PROPERTY.
Tip #15. ALL COMPUTER ACCESS TO BE MONITORED & PASSWORDS CHANGED
REGULARLY.
Tip #19. F OR DEACTIVATED STAFF, ENSURE ALL COMPUTER ACCESS IS REMOVED,
AND KEYS & SWIPE CARDS ARE RETURNED
Tip #20. ANY SUSPICIOUS/UNAUTHORISED PERSONS FOUND ON PREMISES TO
BE CHALLENGED. Call 000 (Triple Zero) if deemed necessary. Report
everything that doesn’t appear to be right. Trust your instincts.
FOR EMERGENCIES (Including anyone on your property) 000
TO REPORT ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS (Crime Stoppers) 1 800 333 000
TO REPORT NON-EMERG CRIME (Police Assistance Line) 131 444
IF YOU’RE NOT SURE (Hornsby Police Station) 9476 9799
TTY—To ask for Police, type PPP 106
SPEAK AND LISTEN 1800 555 727
For more tips and translations, look at our website 'Tips' page here. Or try our WatchOut! website here, for links to some great information available on the internet. Or request a copy in your inbox here.
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20 July, from news.com.au: Tragic twist after woman found dead near walking track in Sydney
Police investigating the death of a woman who was found dead with her clothes on backwards have a new theory as to how she died.
The body of Janet James, 47, was found in bushland in North Wahroonga, on Sydney’s north shore, at 12.40pm last Thursday.
She was covered in scratches and was wearing her clothes the wrong way round, prompting police to suspect she had been murdered.
But now cops believe she died in a tragic accident.
NSW Police said on Tuesday that they were no longer treating Ms James’ death as suspicious.
For details, click here.
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90% of policing is built on this concept.
Thanks to UK Cop Humour
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IMPORTANT CONTACTS & LINKS
Emergency (Police/Fire/Ambulance): 000
TTY: 106
NSW Police - Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command (PAC): 9476 9799
Hornsby Police Station, 292 Peats Ferry Road, Hornsby 2077
Local Police Facebook page: @Kuring Gai PAC
Non-emergency two-way communication
Police Assistance Line (PAL): 131 444
For non-urgent minor crime.
NSW Police Community Portal
Online reporting of non-emergency minor crime: lost property, intentional damage, graffiti or theft.
Interpreting & Translating Services: 131 450
NSW Police - website for crime prevention advice
Never be afraid or embarrassed to report a crime, concern or fear you have to the Police. The Police are here to help you.
Crime Stoppers NSW: 1800 333 000
Report crime anonymously
Report suspicious activity ASAP
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SCAM ALERT 
We’re seeing lots of variations of this scam, this image is just one example. If you receive an SMS like this, don’t click on any links. Instead, report the SMS to us and then delete it.
WARNING ON FLOOD RECOVERY SCAMS
