NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH PRESENTATION FOR POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS - 2 September 2019

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH PRESENTATION AT TALA CHURCH HALL - 2 September


Regrettably the number of attendees was embarrassingly low for both the expat and the Cypriot presentations.  However, the presentations went ahead.  Please note that only the text of the presentation is included as the graphics could not be copied across.

Firstly there was a presentation by Stavros Neofytou, the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator and organiser for the programme in Dali, near Nicosia.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM in DALI-  presentation by the COORDINATOR & ORGANISER,  VOLUNTEER  STAVROS NEOFYTOU

Dear Friends, This will be a simple and short presentation of how we started, what we do, why it is successful and the next steps.

In this program we are all friends: the state, the local authorities, the police and us the simple civilians.

What is our Neighborhood  watch program?

A big number of volunteers exchanging information with the local authorities (with telephone messages) concerning safety& Security, warnings, advice & events. This was done with an excellent cooperation with the police.

We are not policemen but we are helping the police to protect us. We are just the eyes and ears of the police.  WE DO NOT TAKE THE LAW IN OUR HANDS.

Why we started the program in June 2011?

1.Crime rate was increasing in Dali. In the good old times we never used to lock or even close our doors. The key on my house was there 24 hours a day.      Then, there was no problem. Now things have changed.

2. A robbery (and almost murder) in the middle of our town.

In May 2011, a month before we started the program, a man sitting in a café in the center of the town playing cards, noticed two persons sitting inside a parked car. He thought that they were suspicious. He finished his game of cards, he ordered food and when he sat at the table for cards again, the two persons were still there. He did nothing. After a while a Shop keeper and his wife were robbed just round the corner from the café.

A SIMPLE action, could have avoided a robbery (and almost a murder). If the person at the café would just make one  simple call. The car used, was a stolen one, so automatically the suspects would be arrested before the robbery. Prevention is our main target.

This event made the local authorities very upset and felt that we, as a town must take action. Yes, we even thought to take the law in our hands. A police officer head of the CRIME PREVENTION OFFICE at the head quarters, originally from our home town, and a personal friend from childhood, approached the Mayor and me and suggested the Neighborhood watch program. This was the start.

The initial stage. 

At the beginning , people were very suspicious and reserved.

But with time and the good results of the program, the initial 150 watchers became 5000 and more.

The program has helped people to improve their trust and relation with the police and to realize, that with a little bit of help from us the police can protect us even more.

What we actually do? & how we operate?

1.  We have collected a list of names & telephones and through  the Cyta SMS system we send the relevant messages:

a.    about Criminal activity

b.    What to be careful about

c.     Reminders & Warnings

d.    announcements for meetings & training

e.     and other events.

2.  If someone, notices something , he calls the appropriate  telephone no, he already has, according to the type of problem. We analyze and check the validity of the information and we send the necessary message & take action.

3.  Patrolling the town is done by individuals at their own free will. When a message was received that Churches in nearby towns are being broken into, many of our volunteers passed by the Churches to keep an eye. As a result none of our Churches have been violated.  

We intend to make patrolling more organized in the future.

4.  We have spotted a stolen car in 10 minutes.

5.  We have sent a message about 3 people going round houses illegally collecting money showing fake documents.

As a result: They were arrested at the next house.

6.  In a case of a Hit and run accident, a Dali watcher has spotted the OFFENDER and he was arrested in minutes. Otherwise it could take ages.

7.  After a specific message for a suspicious car,  our Dali volunteer gave information to the police and as a result of this very simple action, a gang of six people, that have performed over 56 thefts of jewelry all over Cyprus were arrested. The police was after them for 3 years.

With our program we found them in 24 hours.

This is the result of the good cooperation.

Why it is successful?
          1.    It is simple & fast. Everybody can easily help.(I have even sent a                       message while in Africa for other humanitarian work) 
          2.    It is voluntary. No money is involved to create complications.
          3.    The members are also connected to each other in other voluntary                      activities:

      a.    Charity   b. animal care  c. theater   d. Dancing   e. music etc

People doing charity work joined the program very easily.

    We help people in need in Cyprus and abroad. These activities bond        people together. 
4.    The good training by the Police has helped the watchers to:

     a.    spot the problem easily

     b.    take the right action

     c.     to protect themselves and their properties and advice others to do the same.
5.    The big number of Neighborhood watchers covers a big portion.

               In a town of 3500 houses when we have more than 5000 volunteers                 it is very difficult for bad things to happen without being noticed.                         Also,  the important messages ,are easily distributed all over the                         town very quickly. 

          6.    Posting the Neighborhood  Watch Signs helps to bring the                             neighbourhood together to fight crime and also let potential burglars                   know that the community is on alert and that they will be caught.

            Statistics( CHART)   With the activation of the program we have                       reduced crime by 60% in our town.

Cyprus is the first Mediterranean country to put in to action the neighborhood watch program and we in Dali are the first town in Cyprus to operate it.

What next? WHAT WILL FOLLOW.

We aim for a friendly neighborhood where everybody knows each other and can help each other if necessary.(like the good old times in our villages)

To perform Safety walks to spot any suspicious situations or anyone needing humanitarian aid.

To create support groups that will bring the people together and help each other . The support groups will be in medical field, social, charity etc).

We are now spreading this program all over the country. 

We have been invited by many towns and villages all over Cyprus, to help them start the Neighborhood Watch program.

At some stage we will have a network all over the country. The police will then forward the relevant messages of one town to the other.

We want to be SAFE and feel SAFE. Feeling safe is more important.

When we feel SAFE our heart opens and we love everybody and we become a big family and the world becomes a safer place.

We are always ready to learn more.

Thank you.

VOLUNTEER  STAVROS NEOFYTOU

Chief COORDINATOR OF THE TOWN OF DALI & all Cyprus.

There was then a presentation by Chief Inspector Pattouras, Head of Crime Prevention Office, Police Headquarters.

Crime increased in 2010/11.
Total crimes reported in 2009 were 7094
Total crimes reported in 2011 were  8426

Burglaries in 2009 totalled 3,789.   In 2011 there were 5,073

Why?

Burglaries can happen anytime - day or night
Burglaries happen at 7 out of every 10 houses

How?

In 33% of burglaries entry is gained through an unlocked or open window or door
In 53% of burglaries, a small object, eg a screwdriver, is used to gain access where an actual 'break in' occurs

Culture and behaviour is the key.
Together we can do a lot and work for a safer community

- more signs
- push people to get involved

People must not take the law into their own hands.  They must not take personal risks to prevent crime.

If anyone sees a suspicious person or a criminal you should remain calm.  Do not approach the person - INFORM THE POLICE

Provide the Police with a description of any suspicious vehicle, and/or description of any suspicious person.

Albert Einstein said 'The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it'

There are currently 104,000 watchers across the island
There are 301 municipalities and councils involved in Neighbourhood Watch

As  a result there has been a decrease in serious crime:
2011 - 8426 incidents reported
2018 - 4990 incidents reported
A decrease of around 40%

And a decrease in burglaries/thefts:
2011 - 5073 incidents reported
2018 - 1924 incidents reported
A decrease of around 62%

The aim of the Police is to:
- involve all neighbourhoods
- increase the number of watchers, ie members of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme
- reduce crime - increase security and the feeling of security

Security by itself is nothing but without it, there is nothing.

To join the neighbourhood watch scheme, there are forms available in Tala Council office, or you can email:  toffee@cytanet.com.cy with your name, address, and mobile no.