Senior Constable First Class Simon, shares part of his six-year journey as Police Coordinator for Dernancourt NHW.

Simon Lloyd, Senior Constable First Class at Holden Hill Police Station in north eastern Adelaide, says Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) volunteers are the “eyes and ears of the community”.

Simon, who has been actively involved with (NHW) for more than six years, helps Dernancourt NHW by providing monthly crime reports and attending the group’s committee meetings held every three months.

He sees NHW as an opportunity to build relationships with the community. “On a regular day, we tend to lose connection with the community as we are either handing out a ticket or telling someone off for their inappropriate conduct,” he said. “NHW gives me a chance to interact with the community and build positive relationships.”

Simon enjoys attending the Dernancourt NHW meetings. “These meetings are a great platform to spend time with the community, gather information and discuss SAPOL’s community safety initiatives,” he said.

Simon believes volunteers are important for community safety.

“They are always out there keeping us informed about local issues,” he said. “We rely on them to call us when things go wrong.” He feels appreciative of their efforts. “Doing something out of free will for the community when you could be doing so many other things is great,” he said.

Simon feels NHW works only if people come together to make their community safer, and they are constantly supported by their local police.

It provides a way for a community to engage with the police and is a medium to provide crime prevention tips and other useful information to the communities.

Simon’s favourite NHW memory is when he attended his first Dernancourt NHW meeting and didn’t know what to expect. He was pleased to receive the warmth and love of the community members. “They were the sweetest, kindest people,” he said. “It’s great how NHW brings these people together.”