Parkwood Heights North and South Neighbourhood Watch

22/12/2022

An Item of Interest to all our Parkwood Residents,

Following the recent Optus Data Breach, the ACCC Scamwatch Team has produced a plain language Fact Sheet with accompanying infographic to help protect consumers from being scammed. Our Gold Coast District Neighbourhood Watch has circulated this extremely important and useful information to assist us to better educate and better protect ourselves from these very real and damaging scams that potentially destroy individuals, families and businesses every day in Australia.

Almost half a billion dollars was lost to scammers in the past nine months, two billion dollars in 2021. The end result is devastating as you can imagine.

From the Office of Fair Trading

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96502

It has links to various sites included.
If you or your business are a victim of cyber crime you should report it:

For Cybercrime: https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report
For Scams: https://www.scamwatch,gov.au/report-a-scam
For Cyberbullying, Image based abuse or illegal and offensive content: https://www.esafety.gov.au/report

Please inform yourself by looking at these sites. You may be better prepared to identify likely scams before it is too late.

Jeff Ross
Area Co-ordinator

22/12/2022

To our Parkwood Residents,

As we fast approach the festive holiday season it is important that we make a conscious effort to protect ourselves and our property from criminal activity. NHW Australasia have put together a comprehensive 22 point Crime Prevention List to help reduce these incidents over this period. Note : The highest percentage of property crime reported is committed by opportunists and can be prevented.

1 Fake Delivery Message
You may receive fake text or email messages claiming you have a parcel to pick-up or delivery. They can look very real and appear to be from legitimate organisations.
Do not click on the links. Put messages you are unsure of into the’ Junk’ folder first, and then check the senders email address or website url address provided.

2 Home Security
If you have Xmas cords running through a door or window, ensure they can be securely locked at nite, as this can be a weak spot that makes it easy to enter a home.
Be vigilant about locking doors and windows when you leave home, and make sure your garage door is closed completely before you drive off.

3 Presents
Do not display your Xmas gifts near windows in your home so they are easily visible from outside, or let them be visible inside your car.
Take time to walk outside to see if valuables can be seen inside your home, and ensure they are out of site.

4 Away From Home
If going away make efforts to trick would be burglars into thinking you are still home.This can include things like leaving lights on a timer, asking a neighbour to collect
your mail, leaving shoes by the front door, or asking a neighbour to park their car in your driveway.

5 Social Media Posting
Avoid posting information on social media about gifts from Santa, or that you are going away. Thieves can stalk social media and see who has
the best loot worth taking.

6 Safe Package Delivery
If you’re expecting a parcel, be careful in it’s delivery. To avoid front door thieves, request signature confirmation, or hold your parcel
at the Post office, or have a trusted neighbour hold on to it for you.

7 No Mobile Phones While Driving
Many people at Xmas will want to send you a Merry Christmas message and calls and this can be a dangerous distraction while driving.
Set your phone to ‘Do not disturb’ when travelling on the roads , for everyones safety.

8 Fire Prevention
Do not leave candles unattended in your home and make sure they are not placed near flammable items.
Turn off all Xmas lights when going to bed.

9 Personal Safety
Always tell your family and close friends/neighbours of your travelling plans and give them your itinerary so
they know where you are, and how to contact you in an emergency.

10 Be Alert
The Holiday season is a time when many of us will be shopping and running errands. criminals will also be out and about looking for easy targets and to make a big score.
Even though you may be rushed and doing many things, stay alert to what is going on around you. Now days there is always someone watching.

11 Pet Safety
If you are going away for Christmas and can’t take your pet along, look for a pet-sitter or ask a trusted neighbour or friend to look after them.
Pets can dehydrate very quickly in our summer heat if not given water regularly.

12 Hide Keys
Don’t leave keys hidden outside in obvious places. Thieves know where to look. Leave spare keys with a neighbour or a secure location
as a better option.

13 Motor Vehicle Theft
So many vehicles are stolen every week on the Gold Coast, we see it every day on the news. Don’t leave your car keys near the front door or in obvious places in the house.
Most vehicle theft is OPPORTUNIST theft. Make sure keys are always with you or in a secure location. Don’t tag your keys with personal information like your name and address.
try and park in a secure carpark to lessen the risk where possible.

14 Child Online Safety
Kids will be spending more time on the internet and playing with their phones and devices while on holidays. Make sure you know what your children are doing on line. Know
the warning signs and never supply personal information or photos to anyone online. Child s*x exploitation can happen to anyone, if suspicious make a report. For useful tips
on how to keep children safe online visit the ACCCE website https://www.accce.gov.au/

15 Report
Report any suspicious activity to the Police
* In an emergency or when a crime is taking place call Triple Zero 000
* If a crime has already happened call Police Link 131 444
* For anonymous reporting call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation or, the ACCCE, was announced by the Prime Minister on 25 March 2018, as a measure of the 2018-19 Commonwealth Budget The ACCCE brings together a world-leading approach, incorporating key stakeholders and partners...

17/12/2021

Christmas is a time of giving however not all presents are accepted at this time of year.

We have on our CCTV at 5.12am this morning a couple walking two dogs in Inverness Way that left an unwanted present on my front yard.

This is a reminder to be considerate of your neighbours and pick up after your animals.

You know who you are and I will not release the footage to this page yet, however would appreciate your return to pick this up.

Don't forget to smile to the cameras!!!

19/10/2021

Parkwood Heights Nth and Sth NHW Residents

I hope you are all well and looking forward to the return of our freedom to move about more freely soon.

The following is a timely reminder for our Parkwood community:

GOLD COAST SECURE DOCUMENT SHREDDING
This event is now happening this Saturday 23rd October at Collyer Quays (next to the Event Cinemas Robina between 9am and 12noon). You are invited to take all of your paper waste, Personal, Confidential, Private Documents including Xrays and Files and have them securely shredded and disposed of for a gold coin donation.

SNAKES
With warm weather now here for the summer months snakes and other reptiles are on the move. I have sighted two snakes on my walks around our streets this week and I have been made aware of a young Lady that was bitten twice on the leg in Morfantaine Tce. She is doing fine after treatment at the GCUH.
If you sight a snake, don't make any sudden moves, don't try to scare it or remove it as it will usually turn pear shape. If you have pets keep them away.
You can call a snake catcher to come and relocate the snake.
Gold Coast Snake Catchers 0418 738 228

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Storms, Fires, Flooding, Cyclones. As long as I can remember we have experienced extreme weather events and natural disasters.
We all should have a Plan.
Take heed of warnings through the media, have a plan for your family or household. If you are out and can't contact home or a family member, have a pre-arranged meeting place or leave a message with a friend or neighbour.
Listen to news updates, it is wise to have a battery powered radio in the case of all power being knocked out.
Stay at home unless told otherwise. Have an Emergency Plan and Kit available. Be prepared to look after yourself and family for up to 3 Days.
If you have to evacuate your home, then turn off the water, gas and electricity. Have fresh drinking water available.
Important numbers in an emergency / disaster are:

POLICE: FIRE: AMBULANCE 000 (life threatening emergencies only)
SES: 132 500
ENERGEX: 136 262

dashboard.cityofgoldcoast.com.au
For road, weather, traffic, beach updates and sand bagging

qldalert.com
For realtime updates on weather, emergency services operations, roads, transport and utilities.

bom.gov.au or phone 1300 659 219
For Weather updates and warning information.

131940.qld.gov.au or Phone 13940
For Road closures.

PET MANAGEMENT
There are still reports of dog attacks in our Parkwood/Arundel area. Reports include heightened behaviour towards people, attacks on wildlife and other animal types resulting in deaths.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times unless in an off leash area, then they must be under voice and hand command control.
While walking dogs in our streets, parks and beaches you must carry Dog Poo Bags and use them to pickup. (Financial Penalties Apply)
Cats too must be keep indoors from dusk till dawn, not left out to roam and kill wildlife. Council are increasing patrols in these areas.

HOME and PROPERY SECURITY
The nights are becoming warmer and we can expect more people in our streets and suburb over Summer, some with the intention of breaking into our Homes and our Property to steal from us. The message is the same as always, secure your home, lock all doors and windows, avoid leaving windows open at night for the breeze, secure your vehicles, be sure doors and windows are closed and locked and keep wallets, keys and valuables in a safe and secure place hidden away from easy sight.
I see a good deal of Home Security footage of criminals active in our streets looking for opportunities, trying house doors, car doors and windows. If we all remember to secure all of these then the opportunity will not present itself and we can avoid a lot of grief and heartache. LOCK IT OR LOSE IT:

SCAMS
It's important to know how to identify a Scam.
Scammers use sneaky ways of stealing your information to use your indentity to commit fraudulent activities such as credit card theft, stealing and accessing your Bank Accounts. Not every transaction is legitimate. We have all seen the people who have been lonely and taken advantage of by trolls on dating websites, apps or social media. They play on emotional triggers and often end up asking for money etc.. Then there are the fake charities looking for ways to make a quick dollar asking for donations usually for some disaster fund or the like.
Offers to invest in money making schemes that will make you a lot of money, always if it sounds too good to be true then it is.
Threats of extortion and harm both against you and your family or property.
Unexpected winnings, just supply bank details and money will be paid directly to your account.
Parcel tracking, missed delivery, fake parcel deliveries, pay by credit card.
And Scammers pretending to be Federal Police/ATO targeting vulnerable members of our community.

These are real Scams that have robbed Australians of $211 million dollars so far this year, and they are only the ones reported to Scamwatch.

HOW TO REPORT A SCAM
As many Scammers work from overseas it is appropriate to report them to the ACCC. They can inform Government Organisations overseas for the purpose of law enforcement.

GET HELP
Contact people you know, warn family and friends. If you're a small business, let your industry association know.

RECOVER YOUR IDENTITY
It's important to act quickly to reduce your risk of financial loss or other damages. Contact IDCARE-a free Government funded service which will work with you to develop a specific response to your situation and support you through the process.

IDCARE website or call 1800 595 160.

APPLY FOR A COMMONWEALTH VICTIMS CERTIFICATE
A certificate helps support your claim that you have been a victim of identity crime and can be used to help re-establish your credentials with Government or financial institutions.

Hopefully this will be a comforting help for those of you who receive these incessant random phone calls and emails.

Kind regards.
Jeff Ross
Area Co-ordinator
Parkwood Nth & Sth Neighbourhood Watch

16/05/2021

To our Parkwood Community.
Sadly from time to time I read posts on different community sites that are less than flattering to our Arundel Police Beat.

Whilst I fully understand the emotional stress we can experience at times of being victims of criminal activities and the frustration of feeling let down by our protecters it is not in my view a time to slam our men and women in blue.

We as a community NHW Group lobbied all levels of Government in 2005/6 to establish a Community Police Beat in our suburb. Our area was growing around us and we could see we would be impacted by the large infrastructure developments on our boundaries which would bring many more social issues into our streets.

Since opening in 2006 we have been served by an amazing run of professional men and women from the Queensland Police. We have enjoyed developing partnerships with these Officers over the years.
They are an integral piece of our community and will always be better placed and empowered to solve public safety problems. We have a working relationship with these Officers that develops trust and transparency which leads to better Community/ Police relationships.

Please remember that our Officers are often rostered to other duties some of the times you may be needing them, and that can be annoying, but there are backup options.

We value our community Police Beat, we know what it’s like without it. Please think about this and support our Police family at the Arundel Police Beat.

Kind regards
Jeff Ross
Parkwood NTH/STH NHW

03/02/2021

This is the vehicle returning to inspect damage to property

03/02/2021

The accident as it happened (You need to turn your sound up)

03/02/2021

Leave scene of Accident

There was an accident between 16 and 20 Inverness way last night 2nd February 2021 at 11.54pm where a young girl has side swiped a car on the street, hit a light pole and went up over the curb and hit a small bush. Not sure how this has happened however the issue is the young lady has not come forward and seen the owner of the car that has been side swiped or the property owners. The property owner near the light pole has reported the damaged light post to the council as had exposed wires. This was hit with enough force for the light to fall down. Please do the right thing and see the owner of the damaged vehicle. Was too dark on CCVT to see the plates however the car sounds like it will need some serious work undertaken to repair. I will share the videos in the next post. Feel free to private message me if you would like the details of the car that was hit.

26/01/2021

Camera Found Parkwood 27th January 6.30am

From a resident

I found a camera on my walk this morning on Peter Thomson Drive. If its yours let me know what make and model.

If this is yours I will pass on details to resident who found the camera

25/01/2021