1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,960 Speaker 1: Now we know a funding boost for Neighborhood Watch INT 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:08,639 Speaker 1: is set to expand crime prevention programs and strengthen community safety. 3 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: The COLP government stumping up two hundred and fifty thousand 4 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: dollars for the group to focus on community engagement and 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: public awareness campaigns to reduce opportunistic crime. Joining us on 6 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: the line is Neighborhood Watch nt CEO Veronica Larson. Good morning, Veronica, 7 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: Good morning Veronica. What exactly is the funding going to 8 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:32,480 Speaker 1: go towards? 9 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:35,879 Speaker 2: Yep? The COLP the government has funded us for the 10 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 2: two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, just like you said, 11 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:43,240 Speaker 2: and those funds are going to hire two civilian event 12 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 2: an outreach coordinator that will help put on events throughout 13 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 2: the territory, community events that are family friendly with safe 14 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 2: environments for anyone to attend, as well as increasing our 15 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 2: outreach to get the free tool that we have created 16 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 2: with Neighborhood Watch around preventive safety information out into the 17 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:07,039 Speaker 2: hands of the folks in the territory. 18 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 1: So can you tell us a little bit more about 19 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:13,360 Speaker 1: what those programs are and what exactly to you know 20 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,200 Speaker 1: to those who've maybe never been to Neighborhood Watch or 21 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,120 Speaker 1: haven't dealt with you guys, what exactly it is that 22 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: you do? 23 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 2: Sure well. We focus on education, safety, education and prevention 24 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 2: as well as community connection, so we have a range 25 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 2: of things that we provide, such as community events that 26 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 2: go from neighborhood watch for kids events so we give 27 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:42,679 Speaker 2: families and kids something to do constructively and expensively during 28 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:46,959 Speaker 2: the school holidays, over to holding stalls to hand out 29 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 2: additional tools and resources to folks of all ages to 30 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 2: keep them safe. We have different materials that have been 31 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 2: developed over time to assist people and now we have 32 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 2: them online and intangible formats. For example. Those kinds of 33 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 2: things include how Safe is My Place which is a 34 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 2: home security self assessment and it kind of walks you 35 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 2: through the process online and determines where you might have 36 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 2: areas that need increase safety or security, and it gives 37 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 2: you an email that spits out and identifies the places 38 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 2: that you should maybe focused your energies around. We also 39 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:30,320 Speaker 2: have interactive platforms online for kids to learn how to 40 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 2: navigate the community independently, Absent advice forms for people to 41 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 2: fill out when they're going away, so first responders have 42 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 2: an idea of how you would like to be contacted, 43 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:45,679 Speaker 2: or if you're next of can or your emergency contact 44 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 2: should be reached in case of that emergency. So it's 45 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 2: just a wide variety of any preventative safety information we 46 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 2: can get out there. 47 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 1: And Veronica in terms of because I know there've been 48 00:02:55,960 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: some discussion about personal protection sessions, some confusion about whether 49 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 1: that's like self defense. What exactly are the personal protection sessions? 50 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, thank you so much for asking. I think there 51 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:10,920 Speaker 2: is a bit of misinformation out there, so I would 52 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 2: really like to give some information behind that and the 53 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 2: difference of the two. The self defense is not something 54 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 2: that we teach, and we do not hire people to 55 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:25,960 Speaker 2: cheap self defense. We host personal safety sessions and have 56 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:30,239 Speaker 2: done so for over six years, helping over fifteen hundred territorians. 57 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 2: We work with one facilitator who has thirty five years 58 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:39,560 Speaker 2: experience facilitating safety sessions. Within those three and a half 59 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 2: hour sessions that we put on, we're talking about things 60 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 2: like de escalation techniques, layering safety strategies, how do you 61 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 2: create distance between you yourself and a threat in order 62 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 2: to get away to safety? Should you be approached? All 63 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 2: kinds of tools about when you're living alone, what kind 64 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 2: of alarms you can pick up from funning just a 65 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 2: plethora of information. The idea is we want to provide 66 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 2: tools that any Territorian can implement easily and expensively in 67 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 2: their daily routines that lessen their chances of becoming victims 68 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:23,240 Speaker 2: the opportunity at crime. And that's to formulate also scenario 69 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 2: specific plans to get away from any threatening situation should 70 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 2: it occur. 71 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 1: Look, it sounds to me, that sounds like a really 72 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: positive thing that somebody could do, particularly and you know, 73 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 1: I'm not trying to stereotype in any way, but particularly 74 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 1: maybe a more senior Territorian who might want to, you know, 75 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:42,800 Speaker 1: to look at different ways that they could potentially feel 76 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: safer if they, you know, if they're wanting to continue 77 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: to go out on the evening walk and things like that. 78 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 2: Thank you for bringing that up. And again, yeah, we 79 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 2: have car, public transport, home and community safety and these 80 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 2: are all aspects of the Personal Safety Sessions. The goal 81 00:04:59,839 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 2: of the sessions is to recognize danger before it's on 82 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 2: our doorsteps and to mitigate the risks to our personal safety. 83 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 2: So this is about avoidance tactics. This is about being 84 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:13,720 Speaker 2: aware of your surroundings, whether you're driving into a car 85 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 2: park or going into a mall, or leaving your car 86 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 2: and attended with your personally see all the things that 87 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: we don't. You know, we want to make sure we're 88 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 2: not doing to make ourselves more vulnerable to this opportunistic crime. 89 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 2: It's really the misinformation is a bit disheartening we have 90 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 2: that we're hearing. We invite anyone with concerns and questions 91 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 2: to get a hold of Neighborhood Watch, attend any of 92 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 2: our events and experience the culture of positivity and support 93 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 2: behind the work we do, whether that's seeing the information, 94 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 2: the safety information that we're creating, the way that we 95 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,159 Speaker 2: get it to people, the links that we'll go to 96 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 2: to provide that to people in any area of the territory. 97 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 1: How how can people find out more and how can 98 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:09,320 Speaker 1: I access some of those resources or potentially be part 99 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:13,479 Speaker 1: of some of those personal protection sessions if they can sure? 100 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 2: They simply need to visit our website at n h 101 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:20,559 Speaker 2: W n T dot org dot au. We have different 102 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 2: memberships available, all are free there. They can simply sign 103 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 2: up to follow us on social. They can sign up 104 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 2: to receive our quarterly newsletter which do include crime statistics, 105 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 2: upcoming events information, that might be territory relevance to them. 106 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,599 Speaker 2: It's if we want people to see it all, we 107 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 2: want them to experience the passion that we have to 108 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 2: keep people safe. You know, we're an inclusive organization. We're 109 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 2: not pointing fingers at who, who what what? An attacker 110 00:06:56,240 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 2: could be somebody looking forward to opportunities that crimes could 111 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 2: be or could look like. It can be anyone at 112 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 2: any time. And again, the idea is avoidance and understanding 113 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 2: how to stay different things before they happen. 114 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 1: So she touched on even like the personal alarms and 115 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 1: things like that. You know, like we've spoken before on 116 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: the show to women in our springs who we're raising 117 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 1: money to be able to go and buy themselves, you know, 118 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:23,640 Speaker 1: those personal alarms. I think that everybody wants to try 119 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: and avoid those situations. So I certainly understand that it's 120 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 1: not you got that Neighborhood Watch aren't putting on self 121 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: defense classes in terms of the two hundred and fifty 122 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 1: thousand dollars, Like, how far is this going to go 123 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: for you guys? What does it mean the Neighborhood Watching 124 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory more broadly? 125 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:46,480 Speaker 2: Sure, well, we'll hiing being able to hire two events 126 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 2: and outreach coordinators. That is essentially going to allow us 127 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 2: to double what we've been able to do with the 128 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 2: resourcing that we have in the last year, because as 129 00:07:56,520 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 2: prices go up, we can't do as much. Forced to 130 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,119 Speaker 2: be a little bit more creative with how we're getting 131 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 2: the information out to everyone and how visible and available 132 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 2: we can be to people, and we still want to 133 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 2: make sure we're doing a lot of face to face 134 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 2: outreach for people because that seems to be the number 135 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 2: one way that people prefer in the territory. You know, 136 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 2: we still know that one and four territorians report feeling lonely, 137 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 2: so that community connection and connecting neighborhoods is still really important. 138 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 2: Not only do they automatically look out for you and 139 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:34,720 Speaker 2: create stronger community engagement. It's good for us. Yeah, it's 140 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 2: a good great. 141 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, this is the thing. And people, you know, 142 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 1: like even keeping an eye out for each other, looking 143 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 1: out for each other, as you touched on early on 144 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 1: in the piece, you know, even making sure that you 145 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: jump on the portal if you're going away, so that 146 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,560 Speaker 1: then should something happen at your home, police are aware 147 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: that you are actually away. And you know, all these 148 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:56,680 Speaker 1: bits and pieces can help and the community vigilance in 149 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:58,559 Speaker 1: terms of just keeping an eye out for each other. 150 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:00,319 Speaker 1: It makes a big difference. 151 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 2: It does, It really does, And thanks for that, Katie. 152 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 2: We're just a positive organization trying to increase the security 153 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 2: and the way people feel throughout the territory. The idea 154 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 2: that neighborhood watch and are preventive safety events are somehow 155 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 2: promoting vigilantism is perpost, right, Yeah, it's absolutely not what's 156 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 2: happening in any way. 157 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 1: Well, and I know that you know, we've interviewed you before, Veronica, 158 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: and we've certainly spoken to neighborhood Watching the past before, 159 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 1: and I know that the work that you guys do 160 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 1: is certainly not that. It is very much a situation 161 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 1: of trying to help people really, you know, to work 162 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: out different ways that they can ensure that they you know, 163 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 1: that they that they are safe as best that you can, 164 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:51,960 Speaker 1: and to try to keep your house secure and try 165 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,600 Speaker 1: to you know, to take some of those preventative measures 166 00:09:54,679 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 1: to to you know, I can't think of a better word, 167 00:09:57,280 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: but to not leave yourself as a sitting duck. 168 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,120 Speaker 2: That's exactly right. And you know this extends to kids 169 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:07,440 Speaker 2: our vulnerable seniors. We try and get out there and 170 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:13,600 Speaker 2: really target different people in different areas with different needs, 171 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,360 Speaker 2: so everyone can be across what they can do individually 172 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 2: and per their circumstances or geographical location within the territory. 173 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 2: So just and we're always looking for great feedback. But again, 174 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:32,680 Speaker 2: anybody with questions or concerns or being led to led 175 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 2: to decisions making decisions about Neighborhood Watch that are clearly 176 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 2: based on the misinformation being out there, I highly encourage 177 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,320 Speaker 2: and would welcome them to reach out to me directly 178 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 2: to Neighborhood Watch, to join us at any events you know, 179 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,760 Speaker 2: or put a question out there to the fifteen hundred 180 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,720 Speaker 2: territory ins that have attended our personal safety sessions and 181 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:55,320 Speaker 2: how it's changed their lives. We know that one hundred 182 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 2: percent of the attendees are reported that they would they 183 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 2: would be leaving our personal Safety sessions and telling other 184 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 2: people how great it was and to please come and 185 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 2: please enjoy it. Well, we're really proud of that. 186 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,679 Speaker 1: That is good to hear. Look, I really appreciate your 187 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 1: time this morning. Thank you very much for having a 188 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 1: chat with us and letting people know more about Neighborhood 189 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 1: watch now. Anyone listening this morning that easy. Indeed, keen 190 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: to come along and maybe get to one of those 191 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 1: personal protection sessions or to utilize some of those online 192 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:30,080 Speaker 1: tools and other tools that Neighborhood Watch to provide. What's 193 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 1: the best way for them to do that. 194 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 2: Absolutely, definitely follow us on social and click on our 195 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:42,679 Speaker 2: membership link again n HWNT dot org dot eu to 196 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 2: sign up, so get that quarterly newsletter so you don't 197 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 2: miss anything. It can be across at all, or you 198 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 2: can certainly give us a call at our mainline number 199 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 2: zero four three seven nine nine four six three one. 200 00:11:56,120 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 1: Veronica. Good to speak with you this morning. Thank you 201 00:11:58,400 --> 00:11:59,719 Speaker 1: so much for your time. 202 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 2: Thank you for inviting me, Katie. 203 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 1: Thank you