North Harbour’s 72-year-old community patrol leader nominated for award

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

A 72-year-old woman who leads a community patrol on the North Shore is being commended for her work in the community.

Jane Hunter has been a part of the North Habour Community Patrol for 14 years, serving as the eyes and ears of the police.

Hunter is a finalist in the Westfield Local Hero community grants competition, which recognised and promotes community role models.

“I felt very honoured to be put forward by the North Harbour community as a local hero,” Hunter said.

“That in itself is a huge tick for the time that I’ve spent with the patrol.”

North Harbour Community Patrol monitors 30 suburbs, and is currently in “desperate” need of volunteers.

“We only have one vehicle. If I’m announced as the winner, we’ll have sufficient money to be able to get a second vehicle,” Hunter said.

The winner of the competition is decided by a vote, and will receive a grant of $10,000.

Hunter said a big part of the community patrol was maintaining a visible presence, so that locals know that there are people looking out for them.

“We monitor for stolen vehicles and people who are of interest to the police,” she said.

“We also help with search and rescues, and do public events for the police.”

Westfield Local Heroes is in its third iteration with 126 grants on offer across New Zealand and Australia.