Deb Hann – Senior Constable
It has been another busy week in Cambridge.
To give you an idea of the range of jobs we deal with, last week saw the team responding to calls for service including family harm, shoplifting, petrol drive-offs, trespass incidents, burglaries, theft from a car and thefts of cars, a water (boating) incident, persons in mental health distress, traffic crashes, speeding and noisy motorcycles, dangerous driving, carrying out proactive patrolling and road policing enforcement, completing bail checks and processing breaches of bail, plus assisting fire and ambulance.
Senior Constable Deb Hann – On the Beat
In addition, our Station Support officer and other staff assisted many people over the front counter, from crime prevention advice to crime reporting, lost and found property and the submission of documentation for firearms licencing and other information requests.
Policing is a career where no two days are the same. Be sure to visit the Te Awamutu Police Station Open Day on Saturday from 9am to noon.
The topic of cyclists in town has arisen again and I have noted the associated commentary on social media. There continue to be two key concerns. One is the prevalence of cyclists of all ages riding at speed on pavements through the centre of town. The second is around the way in which cyclists are riding out onto pedestrian crossings. I understand that the thought of their children riding through the Victoria street CBD on the road may be concerning for parents – there is however an alternative safer route via Dick and Duke streets. Given the number of pedestrians, especially the young and the elderly, the risk posed by riding through town is significant. If your child needs to travel this way, please have them walk their bike through town.
With regard to pedestrian crossings, cyclists should dismount and walk their bikes across the road. When they ride out onto a pedestrian crossing from riding along the road, motorists are given little or no time to react and stop. Dismounting means cyclists have the opportunity to assess and react to traffic, ensuring the crossing is definitely clear. Vehicles similarly have time to see the cyclist waiting, and stop. We do not want anyone to be hit and hurt.
The continued development of cycleways will no doubt help to provide a safe shared space for cyclists, mobility scooters and pedestrians around town.
Finally on the cycling note, remember that helmets only protect your head if you are wearing them and they are clipped in place. Too often we see children riding without helmets or with them dangling from their handlebars. Protect your brain and put it on.
