Latest news with #NeighbourhoodWatch
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
David Kelly: When three Irish women ruled European football with Arsenal
Katie McCabe is aiming to win the Champions League this weekend but Ciara Grant, Emma Byrne and Yvonne Tracy were the trailblazers for Gunners glory in 2007 History is never forgotten as long as there are witnesses. Last summer, Ciara Grant was with her two children at Folly Farm Adventure Park in Wales when she inadvertently met one of them. The cheery 'I know you' presaging a desperate prompt for Grant to wonder first why, then who, for they were miles and miles from home. Another parent from the school gates? Or was she Neighbourhood Watch back in Barry?
CBC
08-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Town of Hay River, N.W.T., gives money to youth centre, neighbourhood watch program
The Town of Hay River, N.W.T., is investing in some of its local non-profit organizations. The Hay River Youth Centre and a local neighbourhood watch program will each receive $2,500 to support their initiatives. The money comes from a $5,000 prize the town received after winning the 2025 Healthy Community Award in March, from the N.W.T. Association of Communities. The award is given to a community dedicated to creating a healthy environment for residents. Glenn Smith, senior administrative officer for the Town of Hay River, said both organizations set to receive the funding fall within the mandate of the town's healthy community strategy, a 10-year plan launched late last year. "It just seems like there's a fit there. So I think the council is hopeful," he said. "You need these volunteer groups to build a healthy community." Smith said the neighbourhood watch program strengthens crime enforcement initiatives in the community by bringing an increased level of vigilance that is beyond the ability of officials and law enforcement. "These community groups provide another set of resources in a different approach," he said. "They're not tied into as much bureaucracy as governments might be." Smith said the Hay River Youth Centre was another obvious choice for the funding. Creating a space for youth to feel safe, express themselves, and access programming is paramount to providing a healthy environment for youth, he said. "One of the objectives refers to improving children and youth safety and access to opportunity," Smith said. "So, at a time of need, council was happy to support them." The Hay River Youth Centre reopened on April 1 after being forced to temporarily closed in March because of a funding shortfall. It's currently operating at limited hours until it can secure more funding for the upcoming year. "We're at a point where we're just going to apply for as many grants as possible," said Scott Cloutier, the centre's executive director. "We are anticipating, hopefully by June, we'll be able to expand our hours." Cloutier said the money from the town will help the centre continue to support youth by offering a safe space and tailored programming such as a greenhouse initiative and cooking classes. They have even attended youth conferences through the Students Commission of Canada. "I think all those things are crucial," he said. Watch program to install cameras, patrol streets Hans Wiedemann, a member of the neighbourhood watch group, said the money will help the group strengthen its community surveillance efforts. They hope to strategically place more cameras around the community and expand their camera lending program. The funding will also help get their patrol vehicle on the road. The vehicle is currently in the shop where a local mechanic is performing repairs by donation. "It's a community effort," said Wiedemann. "We need more corporate citizens like [the auto shop] that have really stepped up and helped the community." Wiedemann said the patrol vehicle will be equipped with dash cams, and volunteers, who already use their own vehicles to patrol, will be better equipped to observe and report. Residents who want to help but lack the ability can still support by registering their own security cameras with "If there is an incident, the police know that you have a camera and they can access it," Wiedemann said. One noticeable difference the group has seen since starting the watch program is a drop in trespassing, door-handle checkers, and property crimes. Wiedemann says criminals know they are being watched, and that's made them less brazen in their actions. Wiedemann said the goal of the neighbourhood watch is to create safer streets for youth, families, and elders. The group welcomes anyone who wants to support their efforts, whether by volunteering or registering their cameras.
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Woman puts CCTV cameras up at home and is gobsmacked by what neighbour does next
A woman decided to install security cameras to help protect her property – but she didn't expect it to cause chaos with one of her neighbours. She's since pleaded for advice Many people put up security cameras to give themselves peace of mind. While some opt for CCTV, others use doorbell cameras to see who is coming down the path towards their homes. However, one woman revealed how installing cameras had caused more harm than good. That's because it ignited a feud with her neighbour – who made a rather bizarre request. In a candid Reddit post, the resident spoke about the man living next door. She recalled: "He asked if I can change a few of my camera angles so that it can have HIS house in the view as well." The woman initially laughed off the request, assuming it was a joke. But unfortunately, he was being serious and "doubled down" on the demand. She refused the odd request – and he threatened to report her to authorities. So at a loss about what to do, she asked people on the forum for advice. She continued: "Another neighbour of mine texted me that my neighbor was so upset about the outcome of his inquiry that he apparently has decided to pull out of our Neighbourhood Watch. "His reasoning being that he 'doesn't feel like neighbors are truly trying to look out for each other' so he will only 'watch his own back from now on'." The woman later posted an update, claiming the HOA reassured she had done nothing wrong. She said: "I appreciate your comments and suggestions! I did reach out to my HOA yesterday via email about the situation. "They responded a few hours after saying that they were made aware of the situation, but that no rule was broken. That I'm in my rights to have surveillance of my property. They also added a reminder to try to limit the view of other properties." In the comments section, people had similar opinions about the situation. One said: "Ahhhh, the entitled neighbor. He wants the benefits of having home security but refuses to pay for it. I'd tell him to jog on and get his own." Another person warned: "Access to your system would definitely violate your privacy, the privacy of your household and any visitors. He could see when you have packages delivered, steal them, and then delete the footage. Your private business could even end up on the internet." What are the rules behind CCTV cameras In the UK, the use of doorbell cameras, such as smart video doorbells, is generally legal. However, there are specific laws and guidelines that apply to protect people's privacy. If your doorbell camera only records your private property (e.g., your front door, driveway, or garden), no formal obligations under data protection laws apply because you're using the camera for personal or household purposes. If your doorbell camera captures areas beyond your property, such as a public footpath, street, or neighbour's property, you become a data controller under UK GDPR because you're collecting personal data of individuals outside your household. Even if your use of doorbell cameras is compliant with data protection laws, you must still respect other people's privacy. \u0009Avoid pointing the camera directly at a neighbour's property, especially windows, back gardens, or other private areas. Using your doorbell camera to intentionally spy on or harass neighbours or members of the public could lead to civil or even criminal consequences. You should also be mindful about who you share the footage with.
Telegraph
18-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Anti-duck town scraps plans for ‘ludicrous' giant bird statue
For five long years, Faced with an invasion of ducks, residents have attempted to lure them away with an artificial island, hired professional cleaners to dispose of droppings outside shops and even discussed a cull. So plans for a 5ft duck statue – part of a sculpture trail branded 'Swaffham goes Quackers' – were always likely to trigger deep division. The proposals were ultimately thrown out by a single vote in a meeting of the Norfolk town's council at which members warned that any embrace of the animals risked making them a 'laughing stock'. Councillors feared the tourist attraction would expose them to ridicule, after spending years wanting to get rid of the birds for the 'mess' they left along the streets. For half a decade residents have been divided on their web-footed neighbours. The town is thought to have at least 400 ducks residing among a population of 8,000 people. While some families welcomed the birds into their gardens during the height of Covid lockdown, shopkeepers were forced to hire professional help to clean up their mess and combat 'health problems'. At one point, eco-engineers created a giant floating island to try to entice the ducks away from homes at Swaffham's Northwell Pool. But the ducks refused to stay on the island causing some councillors to consider a cull. Despite concerns over the havoc wrought by the animals, the town council was the recipient of a £2,000 Love Your Market Town (LYM) grant from Norfolk county council and Breckland district council for the project featuring the 5ft duck statue. The town needed to raise an extra £250, as well as a potential extra £1,000 for painting the 'giant duck' as a community project. Lindsay Beech, the town's deputy mayor, made the case for the statue and said: 'We have got the ducks, they are a unique selling point. I think we would be mad not to exploit this to be honest.' Graham Edwards, a councillor, replied: 'Forget it – quite frankly, this is an embarrassment. The idea is absolutely ridiculous.' Jill Skinner reminded members of the council's long-established troubled relationship with the birds. Questioning why a duck had been chosen, she said: 'We used to be a council that was against the ducks and in favour of killing them.' Steph Cooper, another councillor, raised concerns the statue would play into the hands of vandals, prompting an opponent to suggest a Neighbourhood Watch scheme could be implemented to help protect it. She said: 'Everybody wrecks everything in this town. That's why we are the way we are. If it does get wrecked, which it will, we will have to pay.' She suggested the council instead pay homage to a local wicker man or another figure who had actually contributed to its history. Speaking after the debate, Mr Edwards said he was 'delighted' that the plan had been 'kicked into touch'. He said the town council would have looked 'ridiculous' paying tribute to a bird that has been the centre of so much contention. 'I was furious about it,' he said. 'This would have made the town council an utter laughing stock. It's lunacy. There was a really angry response about the town council making themselves more stupid than it already is.' He said the 'crazy, stupid' idea had prompted looks of disbelief among those attending when it was first raised. Graham Eves, a councillor who was at the meeting but abstained from voting said: 'People wondered why we needed a statue of a duck. We are known for ducks in this town. They don't stay where they are supposed to be and go all around the town.' Paul Darby, the mayor, said the sculpture would have been 'something novel' for the town and children to enjoy. 'It's disappointing,' he said. 'It's something we could have had for a boost for the people in the town. I felt sad we didn't go ahead with it.' Of the duck population, he said: 'Some people love them and some people hate them.' But he insisted there was never any move to cull them and it was not within the council's power. Announcing its decision, the town council said: 'After thoughtful discussion, the town council has decided not to contribute to the 'LYM' Duck Project. 'While the project will not move forward, the council remains committed to exploring other exciting opportunities to enhance our community.'
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Neighbourhood watch scheme to monitor 'rough streets' of Pembrokeshire village
A local councillor has confirmed that a village near Haverfordwest is under neighbourhood watch for "peace of mind". Councillor Randell Thomas Turner revealed that some residents of Crundale have approached himself and fellow councillor Danielle Thomas Turner about the scheme. The neighbourhood watch scheme in Pembrokeshire helps to ensure that instances of crime are reported, and attention is brought to areas at risk. Mr Turner said: 'For peace of mind, residents who use neighbourhood watch can help to mitigate crime in their area. We have been provided a grant to place some stickers around.' Haverfordwest mayor Martin Lewis commended the work done for the "rough streets of Crundale" at the latest council meeting on Thursday, February 20. The Neighbourhood Watch application allows the reporting of crimes such as anti-social behaviour, bicycle theft, burglary, car crime, child sex exploitation, dog theft domestic abuse, hate crime, modern slavery, scams, violence, terrorism and more.
