New Neighbourhood Watch group formed
A new, official Peninsula Neighbourhood Watch Group has been formed as an outcome of a meeting held between local police, community members, service providers and business owners on March 6.
Brisbane Water Local Area Command police Superintendent Danny Sullivan said the command held a meeting with the Peninsula Neighbourhood Watch Alert Group on March 6.
The Peninsula Neighbourhood Watch Alert Group is a local Facebook group run by local residents.
Superintendent Sullivan said the meeting, held at The Mantra in Ettalong, was attended by about 50 people but it was not widely publicised because it was between the Local Area Command and the particular community group.
He said a number of service providers in the area were invited including Juvenile Justice, Gosford Council, Regional Youth Services and representatives from the office of the Member for Gosford Ms Kathy Smith.
Ms Smith was unable to attend because of parliamentary commitments.
Former Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein spoke at the meeting as a representative of Regional Youth Services.
Some other small business owners were present.
Superintendent Sullivan said he was on the panel with Ms Danielle Shacklock and Ms Lee Ann Kirby, the two administrators of the Peninsula Neighbourhood Watch Alert Group and Senior Constable Rachael Armitage, the local area command's school liaison police officer.
Other outcomes from the meeting surrounded "youth crime and communication," Superintendent Sullivan said.
"There are more community meetings planned and my team will be going to those," he said.
"We have also kicked off Operation Creed, a highly-visible policing operation focused on anti-social behaviour.
"Ms Kathy Smith and I have also met and we are working together on local crime issues," Superintendent Sullivan said.
Media statements, 16 Mar 2016
Danny Sullivan, Brisbane Water Local Area Command
Reporter: Jackie Pearson