MEDIA RELEASE
10 December 2009
Good local knowledge, civic minded, mature, non-confrontational, and a common sense attitude are the prerequisites sought for people to become Taupo Community Ambassadors.
Volunteers are required to patrol the central business area, parks, reserves, beach front, and public entertainment areas over the Christmas and holiday period in daylight hours. They will have an ambassadorial type role, promoting safety while giving directions and information to visitors, and will wear bright, highly visible uniforms.
The Taupo Community Ambassador initiative is part of the Taupo Safe District Project Plan, designed to make Taupo district a safe place to live, work and play. The project will see Taupo apply for accreditation as an International Safe Community from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in May 2010. Funding for this initiative was gained from the Craters of the Moon Trust by the Taupo Safer Community Trust.
Taupo Safe District Project Manager Doug Scott says that the ambassadors are not intended to be security guards. “We don’t expect anyone to put themselves in danger. They are simply an extra set of ears and eyes on the ground. We see them as assisting police and other emergency services by reporting crime or any anti social behaviour.”
Mr Scott says that simply the presence of people in uniform can make those in the community feel safer, and will hopefully be a deterrent for anti-social behaviour.
“If you are approachable and a good communicator we’d love to hear from you,” says Mr Scott. “You’ll need to be fit enough to be on your feet for a few hours at a time too.” Patrolling will be done in short shifts to fit with the time that volunteers have available.
Similar programs have been run successfully in Rotorua, Porirua, Wellington, and Christchurch. The pilot programme will be run in Taupo from 21 December 2009 to 31 January 2010.
Anyone interested in becoming a Taupo Community Ambassador can contact program coordinator Neil Peterson on 376 0804, or npeterson@taupo.govt.nz .