The Hunter River Times

BY DI SNEDDON

Singleton Police will be at Singleton Heights Shopping Centre today keen to have cuppa and a chat with the community.

It has been difficult for their regular community catchups in recent times because of covid restrictions and Inspector Joanne Schultz and the crew are keen to hear how the community is feeling.

They will be at the centre from 10am to 12noon today so pop down and say hello and given the pressure of their workload in recent months, a little thank you would go a long way.

While police are interested in what is happening it is also a chance to let the community know about a new reporting feature in addition to the traditional methods of reporting crime such as telephoning the local station or using Crimestoppers.

The new Community Portal is an easy way to report crime via your computer, particularly in the cases of lost property, theft, malicious damage or graffiti, fraud or bushfire damage.

The aim of the portal is to give police a thorough understanding of what is happening in the area.

“Every morning we go through all the reports we receive and the portal has been very effective in us getting a good overview of where crime is happening and if there are any synergies,” Inspector Schultz said.

The capacity to download photos to the portal adds to the gathering of evidence and the community can report crime anonymously,” she said.

“It just gives us a clearer understanding of everything that is going on.

“It not only helps solve the crime, we can also know why crime is happening in an area or to a particular person.

She could not be prouder of her Singleton team who she describes as an enthusiastic and committed to do their job well.

Covid has also seen a team of five police from the Hunter Valley succonded to both the Victorian and Queensland borders every ten days to assist with border patrols which remains ongoing.

So, if you do nothing else today, drop in and give local police a kind word for their ongoing work to keep us safe and secure.