Botany Community Patrol Marks 20 Years of Partnership with Town Centre

The Botany Community Patrol celebrated a significant milestone on March 15, 2024, marking twenty years of partnership with the Botany Town Centre. This collaboration has allowed dedicated volunteers to provide essential community safety services since the patrol’s inception on April 4, 2004. A gathering at Botany Library brought together local officials, police representatives, and patrol volunteers to commemorate this enduring relationship.

Damian Light, a member of the Howick Local Board and chair of the Botany Crime Watch Trust committee, expressed gratitude towards the town centre for its unwavering support. “We’re here to thank the Botany Town Centre for being our home for 20 years,” he stated during the celebration. He emphasized the importance of community collaboration in maintaining safety.

The event featured remarks from Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen, who played a pivotal role in founding the patrol. Larsen recalled his early days as a community constable in 2004, when the need for increased security became evident. “The town centre saw there was an issue and got the police in here, developing the Crime Watch Patrol with the volunteers,” he explained.

Throughout its history, the patrol has addressed various community safety concerns, including bag thefts and shoplifting. Larsen underscored the town centre’s proactive approach to crime reduction, stating, “There’s no way we could operate in an area like this without the support of the town centre.”

Celebrating Two Decades of Service

During the celebration, Kerrie Hughes, manager of the Botany Town Centre, highlighted the unique relationship between the centre and the patrol. She noted, “It’s amazing and doesn’t happen across a lot of centres.” Hughes praised the volunteers for their dedication and their strong relationship with local law enforcement. The event showcased a cake commemorating the two-decade milestone, symbolizing the shared commitment to community safety.

Following the festivities, Margaret Westwood, operations manager of the Botany Community Patrol, reflected on the significance of the partnership. “We’re extremely fortunate to have it,” she remarked, referring to the space provided by the town centre for the patrol’s operations. Westwood detailed the history of their base, explaining that they signed a lease on October 19, 2005, for office space within the management corridor. Over the years, they have adapted as the town centre underwent renovations.

Today, the patrol boasts 45 members, with ages ranging from their 20s to 80s, and representing 17 different ethnic groups. Westwood noted an increase in younger volunteers, with eight members currently in their 20s. “It’s a great location for a patrol to be. Botany is a vibrant community space to work from,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of visibility and engagement with the local population.

With a strong foundation built over two decades, the Botany Community Patrol continues to exemplify effective community policing in partnership with the Botany Town Centre. As both organizations look towards the future, their collaborative efforts remain vital in fostering a safe and secure environment for the residents of Botany.