Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby
eNewsletter #475 - 17 November 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 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.
|
|
17 November, from Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command: SCAM ALERT!
We’ve had several reports of scammers calling people from what appear to be trusted NSW Police Force numbers and threatening the call recipients with fines or arrest.
These scammers are using technology to make it appear that the calls originate from legitimate police phone numbers; a practice known as ID spoofing. The caller impersonates a NSW Police Force officer and states that the person receiving the call has an outstanding fine or warrant. The scammer demands a form of payment to prevent arrest or further court action.
The NSW Police Force will never call a member of the public and demand payment over the phone in order to avoid going to court or being arrested.
If you get an unexpected call from someone who states they're from the police, and starts asking for personal details or threatens you, please hang up. If you’re concerned, you can always verify by contacting your local police or the Police Assistance Line directly on 131 444.
To find out more information about scams, or to find out other ways to protect yourself, visit site here. If you have been the victim of a scam, you can report it to local police or to the ACCC online at the ‘SCAMwatch report a scam’ page.
|
|
17 November, from Crime Stoppers NSW: If you receive threatening letters, phone calls or social media content, it is important to consider the following.
𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
 Limit the amount of contact you have with the letter
Do not show it to other people and let
them touch it
Keep the envelope
Place the letter into a paper bag with
the envelope
Contact Police
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀
Record the date and time you received
the call
Record a description of the call,
including voice, background noises,
what was said, etc.
If you have caller ID, record the number
of the incoming call
If the call relates to a bomb threat,
don't hang up the phone
Contact Police
Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
If you have information to pass onto police you can report online here or call us on 1800 333 000 (24/7).
|
|
16 November, from NSW Road Safety - NSW GOV
The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House are two of many landmarks across the country turning yellow to support National Road Safety Week.
Wear a yellow ribbon or put one on your car and take the pledge to drive so others survive.
Find out more here.
|
|
15 November, rom Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command
The warmer weather has finally arrived and that means plenty of people will be taking advantage of our beautiful outdoors.
Whether you’re heading off the beaten track, or closer to home, download the updated Emergency + app. The app works across Australia, using GPS functionality built into smartphones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services. The updated app now includes ‘what3words’, a software enhancement allowing Triple Zero (000) callers to provide their exact location quickly and accurately with just three words describing the address to assist responding emergency services.
Save the app that could save your life. Download here.
|
|
13 November, from Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command
Investigations continue following shooting - Wahroonga
Thursday, 12 November 2020 03:14:35 PM
A man remains under police guard in hospital after a shooting in Sydney’s Upper North Shore earlier today.
About 10.10am (Thursday 12 November 2020), officers attached to Kuring-Gai Police Area Command were called to a home on Highlands Avenue, Wahroonga, following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police found a man, aged 51, suffering a gunshot wound to his neck.
He was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
A 74-year-old man was also treated at the scene for facial injuries, before being taken to the same hospital, where he remains under police guard.
Two firearms that were seized from the home will be forensically examined.
A crime scene remains in place as inquiries continue by detectives from Kuring Gai Police Area Command.
It’s believed the two men involved are father and son-in-law.
Highlands Avenue remains closed until further notice.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or visit website here. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
|
|
12 November, from Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command
Crime Prevention Officer Senior Constable Joanne Dodsworth presenting on recent crime statistics at the Berowra Community Forum.
|
|
12 November, from NSW Road Safety - NSW GOV: Flexible safety barriers
Safe roads save lives. That’s why you’ll see more flexible barriers on our roads.
Flexible barriers prevent vehicles from leaving their lane by stretching to catch the vehicle and absorbing the impact forces.
Learn more at here.
|
|
11 November: Remembrance Day 2020 at Hornsby Cenotaph
|
|
10 November, from NSW Police Force
Know what to do when you hear a siren or see the flashing blue or red lights of an approaching emergency vehicle?
When you hear a siren or see the flashing blue or red lights of an approaching emergency vehicle:
* Give way to the emergency vehicle – if you are stopped do not move until it is safe to proceed, even if the traffic light is green. If you are moving, you must slow down and stop if necessary to avoid a collision with the emergency vehicle.
* Move out of the way as soon as you can safely do so
* Move over as much as you can to the left-hand side of the road or, if possible, move onto the road shoulder or breakdown lane. On multi-lane roads, try to move into the left lane to let the emergency vehicle pass
* Drivers on both sides of the road should be prepared to move out of the path of emergency vehicles
* Emergency vehicles with sirens sounding or lights flashing responding to urgent situations are not required to follow the rules, as long as it is safe for them to do so. Drivers should always be extra cautious when they see flashing lights or hear sirens.
More here.
|
|
10 November, from NSW Police Force
Police are disappointed at the conduct of five motorists for driving in a dangerous manner along the Central Coast.
About 10pm yesterday (Monday 9 November 2020), officers attached to the Kuring-Gai and Brisbane Waters Highway Patrol observed five high-performance vehicles allegedly travelling well in excess of the 60km/h posted speed limit, overtaking vehicles over double unbroken lines and proceeding through a stop sign along the Old Pacific Highway between Bar Point and Calga.
Police stopped the vehicles and spoke with the drivers, with each issued infringements for exceed speed by 45km/h, not keep left of dividing line and not stop at the stop line.
Police stopped the drivers where the following action was taken:
• A 26-year-old man from Zetland was driving an Audi A5. He was the holder of an international driver’s licence. His driving privileges were withdrawn for six months and the vehicles number plates were confiscated for three months.
• A 27-year-old man from Mascot was driving a Ford Mustang. He was the holder of an international driver’s licence. His driving privileges were withdrawn for six months.
• A 22-year-old man from Zetland was driving a BMW. He was the holder of an international driver’s licence. His driving privileges were withdrawn for six months and the vehicles number plates were confiscated for three months.
• A 33-year-old man from Turramurra was driving a Honda S2000. His NSW driver’s licence was suspended for six months and the vehicles number plates were confiscated for three months.
• A 34-year-old man from Blacktown was driving a WRX. His NSW P2 driver’s licence suspended for six months. The man initially supplied false a false identity to police. However, following enquires by police his correct identity was established. He was issued with infringements not display P plates, drive prohibited vehicle and state false name.
Traffic North Commander, Acting Superintendent Anthony Boyd, said that it was disappointing some people still fail to comprehend the dangers associated with such reckless driving.
“It is bad enough to detect one person driving in such a dangerous manner, but to detect five at once is beyond belief,” A/Supt Boyd said.
“It is only because to the diligence of those highway patrol officers who stopped the motorists that prevented a tragedy which was just waiting to happen.”
|
|
10 November, from North Shore Police Area Command: If any can assist our colleagues at North Shore PAC.
Mosman- 26/09/20- North Shore Police would like to speak to the person depicted in the image below.
If you know this person please call North Shore PAC on 9414 8499 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Ref# E 75467706
|
|
17 November: Memorial to Phil Langley
  
Today an ANGOPHORA COSTATA (Sydney Red Gum) tree was planted in Gordon Park in memory of one of our friends and volunteers, Phil Langley. Phil gave his time to many organisations, including Killara Uniting Church, FOLK, Neighbourhood Watch, BushCare, and a large role with the Scouts. His children, Abby, David and Justin took part in the service, organised by Wal Knowles and Kathy Cowley, with help from Ku-ring-gai Council represented by Cllr Cheryl Szatow. It was lovely to work with you, Phil.
|
|
16 November, from NSW Police Force
It's getting hot out there! Beat the heat by remembering these four key messages:
1. Drink plenty of water;
2. Stay in the shade or inside during the hottest part of the day;
3. Take care of others - particularly people with health conditions, the elderly and children;
4. Have a plan - plan when you'll be out and about.
And remember, never leave babies, children, the elderly or pets alone in a car, not even for a moment. The temperature inside a parked car can be 30-40°C hotter than outside the car. Most of the temperature increase occurs within five minutes of closing the car and having the windows down 5 cm causes only a very slight decrease in temperature.
Visit site here.
|
|
|
Dates for the Diary
Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 November: Neighbourhood Watch WEEK
Thursday 19 November: International Men's Day
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 November: Garage Sale Trail Info
Monday 23 November: 10am-12noon “Healthy Relationship = Harmonious Society” online program for Chinese community to
- better understand about Domestic & Family Violence and Elder Abuse. Meeting ID: 832 7892 0451 Passcode: 489568
Tuesday 24 November: Gordon/Killara/East Killara/some St Ives Neighbourhood Watch AGM 7-9pm via Zoom. Email NHWGordon@gmail.com for Meeting ID and passcode.
Wednesday 25 November - Thursday 10 December: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence
Saturday 28 November: PCYC Driver Education programs 3-6pm Info
Monday 30 November: “Know What to Do For Me and My Community” organised by Ku-ring-gai NSWPF command, Hornsby Council, and TAFE NSW. Contact: Lilian on 0426 453 619. Meeting ID: 889 3972 6285 Passcode: 08WhSe
Tuesday 08 December: 10am-12noon “Care for Seniors” online program for Chinese community to
- better understand about Domestic & Family Violence and Elder Abuse. Meeting ID: 843 4692 6346 Passcode: 363940
|
|
16 November, Save the Date! Sunday 29th November at The St Ives Club from 2:00pm to 6:00 pm.
While some of our plans have been on hold due to Covid during 2020, we want to take the opportunity to stop and thank the community for the overwhelming support and generosity over the last fire season.
Join us for some live music, while we help you make or update your Fire Plan and not to mention a chance to play barefoot bowls with ‘barefoot firies’!
The St Ives Club - Will be operating in a Covid safe environment - with restricted numbers so watch this space for details and how to book a spot.
And remember the best way to support the RFS this fire season is to have a Fire Plan…
|
|
14 November, WARNING SHARED FROM A RESIDENT IN TRENTINO RD TURRAMURRA
Beware of a tree lopper called Eddie. He is of Maori or Pacific Islander appearance, tall and with very short dark hair. He pretended to have been sent by my neighbour to trim trees next to our dividing fence because their leaves were said to be blocking her gutter. The card he gave me did not correspond to the logo on his shirt, which was something like Shore Trees. When I called the number on the card, they'd never heard of him. I spoke to my neighbour and she said she knew nothing about it and hadn't sent him. He cheated me out of several hundred dollars for work which was unnecessary.
|
|
14 November, from dailytelegraph.com.au
Asquith mum hit her ex-husband with car twice
Asquith mother Angela Ashbolt, 32, has been found guilty in court after she knocked her ex-husband down with a car twice following their marriage breakdown.
|
|
13 November, Thank you to Anne, Thornleigh, Westleigh & Normanhurst Community group:
Roadworks on Pennant Hills Road - music to my ears 
Posting this here for anyone who lives not quite close enough to get the note, but close enough to be affected by this.
Hopefully positively so from December 18th.
|
|
13 November, from Australian Road Safety Foundation
Do you know that medication can effect your ability to drive safely?
Some negative effects can include drowsiness, blurred vision, poor concentration, slower reaction times and aggressive behaviour. Make sure you know the facts before DRIVING.
|
|
13 November, A date for your diaries:
International Men’s Day is celebrated each year on November 19. The day recognises the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities.
It is a day to place focus on and work together towards six key objectives, which apply equally to all males irrespective of their age, ability, social background, legal status, race, beliefs, sexual orientation or gender identity. These are
• To promote positive male role models
• To celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family
• To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual
• To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law
• To improve gender relations and promote gender equality
• To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.
|
|
11 November, from news.com.au: Westfield is using facial detection software to watch how you shop
WESTFIELD is using sophisticated facial detection software to watch you as you shop. And they don’t need your consent to track you.
EVERY time you walk into a Westfield shopping centre you are being tracked. Sophisticated facial detection software, working in conjunction with the devices you are carrying on you, are monitoring your mood and tracking your every move.
The company uses small cameras fixed atop advertising screens, that detect individual faces in order to record the age, gender and mood of shoppers.
Westfield also tracks shoppers’ movements by pinging their Wi-Fi enabled devices with routers littered across its centres.
This means that Westfield is able to understand where a shopper entered the centre and what stores they walked past, and it is able to do all of this without the express consent of shoppers.
Westfield would not comment on particular details about advertising panels, which it calls the Smartscreen Network.
But the French software firm, Quividi, which developed the technology behind the cameras has stated that they are able to detect the mood of shoppers, in a range from very unhappy to very happy, the age and gender of shoppers and how many times the screens were viewed and for how long.
Quividi stresses that none of the data it collects is used to identify individuals and emphasises the technology is “face detection,” not facial recognition.
An image, taken after one of the panels at the Belconnen Westfield in Canberra malfunctioned, has revealed how the panels look from the other side.
Read more here.
|
|
Taken from 'Our 20 Favourite Crime Prevention Tips Concerning Fire Issues
Tip #1. MAKE A MENTAL NOTE IF THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED BUSH FIRES IN YOUR AREA RECENTLY. 70% of NSW bush fires are lit deliberately.
Tip #2. BE AWARE OF PEOPLE ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY IN YOUR AREA. Record details such as their appearance, car descriptions & registrations. Contact Crime Stoppers: 1 300 333 000.
Tip #3. CONTACT THE LOCAL FIRE SERVICE FOR HELP ASSESSING YOUR OWN PREMISE’S FIRE RISK AND KNOW HOW TO PROTECT IT. Prepare your BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL PLAN, EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN and EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KIT for you and your animals. Download the ‘Bush Fire Emergency Plan’ App.
Tip #4. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER FOR FURTHER STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CRIME. [A Safety Audit of your home is available FREE on request—phone: 9476 9723 or visit www.police.nsw.gov.au.]
Tip #5. PLEASE BE ALERT AROUND SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY PERIODS AND AT WEEKENDS. Report any suspicious activity or groups of youths. Phone School Security Unit: 1300 880 02.
Tip #8. KNOW ABOUT TOTAL FIRE BANS:
CHECK THE RFS WEBSITE, OR PHONE RFS INFORMATION LINE ON 1800 679 737 TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A TOTAL FIRE BAN IN PLACE.
BEWARE SPARKS: BBQs, incinerators, welding, angle-grinders, cigarettes, etc.
KNOW THE LAW: eg, to use an the electric/gas BBQ you must have available “an immediate and continuous supply of water”.
TOTAL FIRE BAN & CURRENT FIRE DANGER CAN BE FOUND AT: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
Tip #9. MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LEVELS OF HOME AND CONTENTS INSURANCE. If you underestimate the value of your property, any payout may be reduced accordingly.
For more tips, visit our Neighbourhood Watch website's Tips page here. Or email us for your own copy.
|
|
Thanks to Cop Humour Australia: When the K9 unit runs out of doggos
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
