Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby
eNewsletter #518 - 14 September 2021
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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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10 September, from Western Sydney Health:  ALL PEOPLE 18+ can get an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination at Qudos Bank Arena from TODAY!
On-the-spot bookings available. Details here.
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09 September, from Ku-ring-gai command: SCAMS are still on the rise....
When you are contacted and asked to supply any of your personal information and/ or login details, whether it be from an IT company, Government Department or Business please BEWARE. A level of sceptisism should always be employed in these situations. You may be the target of a Phishing scam.
Please see below an important message from our friends at the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).
Even if the message looks official, an IT company, government department or business will never contact you for your login details. Chances are it's a cybercriminal in disguise. Keep your personal details personal and if you think you have given your details to a cybercriminal, report it to cyber.gov.au/report
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07 September, from NSW Police: WARNING! The Flubot scammers have updated their text messages yet again.
A new version of these scam text messages says it’s your last chance to collect a package. Don’t be fooled and DO NOT CLICK on the link. This downloads malware which gives scammers access to your phone.
Image and information via Scamwatch.
If you CLICK ... the Scammer will COLLECT. DON'T CLICK!!!
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14 September, from WatchOut.org.au: Where does this link go?
Blog about the Neighbourhood Watch website 'Watchout.org.au' Internet Safety page:
Are you uncertain when you click on a link? We are too!
In this day and age, using the internet can be scary. Clicking on a link can have disastrous results. WatchOut has a page precisely included for this kind of situation: ‘Internet Safety’.
Today, during our regular maintenance checks, we found a dud link and coincidentally (weird, huh?), a resident had informed their local Neighbourhood Watch group of a new URL link checker. Of course we checked it out and updated the page to include this new information: ‘Where Goes”. Thank you to Phillip.
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14 September, from Neighbourhood Watch in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby: Proud to get a mention in the NSWPF Crime Prevention Command Newsletter (Page  . [Aaaargh, Facebook changes the 8 to an emoji!]
Photo taken with permission by our Crime Prevention Officer (Senior Constable Colin Mitchell) during our latest 'All Areas' Neighbourhood Watch meeting.
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02 September, from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation: Together with our key partners, the ACCCE is proud to launch a national campaign to increase awareness and #stopthestigma associated with child sexual exploitation.
We’re urging all Australians to be brave and open up the discussion to help prevent this crime from happening to our children.
You can help to stop the stigma by:
- 1.Knowing where to go for support
- 2.Understanding how to report abuse
- 3.Getting educated on child safety
- 4.Being ready to listen and believe when someone is willing to share their story of child sexual exploitation
Talking about child sexual exploitation is uncomfortable, but nothing is more uncomfortable than the abuse itself.
To hear stories from survivors and experts, and for more information on support services and reporting, visit accce.gov.au/stopthestigma
**With respect, we urge you not to share any personal information regarding experiences of child sexual abuse on social media or anywhere online. If you or someone you know needs support or advice there are a number of organisations who provide specific counselling and support services. These services can be found at accce.gov.au/support.*
We would like to thank and recognise the official partners of the Stop the Stigma initiative: Act for Kids Bravehearts The Carly Ryan Foundation Inc. Daniel Morcombe Foundation Kids Helpline Official yourtown Australia #ChildProtection
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13 September, Shared with permission from the Pymble and West Pymble Community group: Electronics clear out?…why not use Arnies. [This service helps prevent illegal dumping - Ed]
They’re having a “drive-by day” on 20th September for Pymble/St Ives. arniesrecon.com/for-communities to book.
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13 September, from NHW in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby: Another warning from a concerned resident about a scam SMS.
Please do not respond. Delete it.
If you would like to report it to the government, spam/scam SMS messages can be forwarded to the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) on 0429 999 888. You will receive a confirmation reply SMS.
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13 September, from Marine Area Command: There have been a number of incidents recently involving people on kayaks and stand up paddle boards having difficulty on the water - resulting in them requiring assistance.
Please do not enter or go on waters that you are not permitted to enter or if you are inexperienced. Attached are a number of safety tips and information. nsw.gov.au/topics/waterways-safety-and-rules/resources/boating-handbook
Importantly, always be prepared, stay safe and check weather conditions before you consider heading out on the water;
bom.gov.au/marine/about/check-the-weather.shtml
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September 10, from NHW in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby: We've been asked to share with our network these new guidelines and fact sheets about "Suspected or confirmed cases and close & casual contacts".
Please share with your networks too  Suspected or confirmed cases and close and casual contacts
- · Quick guide to isolation and testing
Overview of COVID-19 contact types and their testing and self-isolation requirements here.
- · People with COVID-19 symptoms
Fact sheet for people who develop symptoms of COVID-19 here.
- · Confirmed cases
Fact sheet for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 here.
- · Close contacts
Fact sheet for people who have been identified as a close contact of a person with COVID-19 here.
- · Secondary close contacts
Fact sheet for household members and people who have been in close proximity to a close contact here.
- · Casual contacts
Fact sheet for people who have been identified as a casual contact of a person with COVID-19 here.
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Crime stats are available for August 2021 for the Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command (PAC).
Please view them in our group: facebook.com/groups/NHWKuringgaiHornsby
or email us for your suburb's: NHWKuringgaiHornsby@gmail.com
NOTE: This is the last month that we will receive crime stats from our NSWPF Ku-ring-gai Command. Thank you to their intel guys for helping us out over the many years. In future we will have to refer to BOCSAR statistics, which have great information via their crime maps, however, unfortunately they run 6 months behind the real world.
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07 September, from NSW Rural Fire Service: Update: Peats Bite Restaurant, Sunny Corner near Berowra Waters.
Crews have now contained the fire after it was first reported around 7:30pm tonight. Unfortunately the restaurant has been destroyed. Firefighters from NSW RFS and FRNSW will remain on scene extinguishing hot spots and ensuring the fire is extinguished. All residents have been accounted for.
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Dates for the Diary
Monday 11 October: eSafety Commissioner FREE 1-hour webinar Protect Yourself Against Scams 3-4pm Info & Register here.
Wednesday 13 October: Turramurra (Gordon 3/4) NHW meeting. TBC
Wednesday 24 November: Gordon/E. Killara NHW AGM online via MS Teams @ 7pm. Special guests: S/C Colin Mitchell, Crime Prevention Officer, Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command, and Ruby Koop - Snap Send Solve App.
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From NHW in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby: 'Our 20 Favourite Crime Prevention Tips for the Socially Isolated'
Tip #18. If you are a carer, leave notes for the next carer out-of-sight, never on the front door.
Tip #19. Don’t sign anything. But, if you have, use any cooling-off period to discuss issues with trusted friends or family.
Tip #20. Keep emergency numbers (see table below) as easy dial/memory on your phone. Keep the phone by the bed, along with a torch for emergencies. Report anything suspicious.
FOR EMERGENCIES (Including anyone on your property) 000
TO REPORT ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS (Crime Stoppers) 1 800 333 000
TO REPORT NON-EMERGENCY 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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Thanks to David for this week's humour. The US humur translates into Australian humour fairly well ;)
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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 (Only victims may report.)
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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