The wild frontiers of North Dunedin are soon to be defended by a band of “Scarfie Sheriffs” whose role will include protecting saloon-goers from shoot ’em ups, Indians and gold train robberies.
Although a little older than the average Toy Story 3D fan, scarfies have the potential to benefit from the new sheriff scheme which aims to establish a student on every North End street to act as a point of contact between residents and police.
Neighbourhood Support initiated the arrangement in response to continual frustration over the number of students who end up the victims of theft, in part due to a penchant for unlocked doors and leaving flats uninhabited for large portions of the year.
“We’re really going for it this year to annihilate these burglaries in the North End, we’ve got to throw everything into it and make it not worth the bother for thieves,” says Neighbourhood Support Regional Co-ordinator Sarah Hexamer. Scarfie sheriffs are a key part of the plan. “Street members can know who they can ask for advice on thefts or potential thefts and that person can pass that information on to police. If Neighbourhood Support or police want to get a message out, it can go through that person.”
Sheriffs have yet been to be appointed, however Neighbourhood Support has already carried out visits to flats to inform residents of the crime prevention strategies being targeted at students. In addition to the Scarfie Sheriff scheme, students’ email addresses or phone numbers are being voluntarily collected to allow police and Neighbourhood Support to send out group messages if a theft occurs. This would allow anyone who has seen any suspicious activity at the time of the theft to pass that information on to police and remind students to better safeguard their flats against thieves.
Any students with a fetish for spurs and/or cowboy hats can apply to fill the boots of Scarfie Sheriff for their street by sending an email to Neighbourhood Support at admin@ons.org.nz.
I Can Has Moar Vigilantism?
