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When things go bump in the nightAshburton Guardian Long time Neighbourhood Support member and coordinator for his street Keith Raymond and wife Judy discuss the benefits of being neighbourly with Guardian reporter DANIEL HENDERSON. If readers want to start their own group they can contact The Ashburton team on 307-8410 for further information. Neighbourhood Support week runs from October 29 to November 6. When you make it on to Keith Raymond's list, it's a good thing. It means you're part of his neighbourhood support group which many might view as the perfect organisation to be a member of. "There's nothing you can lose and it's not costing you anything." In fact all it requires is attending an annual barbeque in February at Keith's place to catch up with the neighbours. Keith's wife Judy says the barbeque is a pleasant afternoon. "Sometimes a coordinator will give a talk on helping each other in an emergency," she said. This has special resonance in this earthquake afflicted year. Judy was staying with her daughter in Christchurch while Keith was in hospital there during the February event. "On her daughter's street, they didn't even know their neighbours." Keith has 22 residences on his list and for each he has two phone numbers, the names of residents and a next of kin. The list is given to each member and the police to aid cooperation. "Everyone knows who I am. I make a point of introducing myself. There's only been one theft since we've been here about three years ago when someone jumped over a fence and unhooked a trailer." A few misdemeanours aside Grove Street is a safe and pleasant place to reside. "A little bit of vandalism, the odd person acting the goat," Judy says. "Signs do the trick," Keith adds. Signs are placed visibly on lampposts and inform people they are entering a neighbourhood support area. Neighbours need to be informed of modern day scams over computer and phone. Keith and Judy say everyone is aware of the phone scams which usually involve calls about computers. "They ask if we've got a computer, not many (elderly on the street) have computers but if they keep ringing we tell them we'll put them through to the police." Neighbourly duties are what being in Neighbourhood Support is all about. Keith and Judy say looking after pets, collecting mail, basically keeping an eye on things for each other are the main things. They encourage people to get involved with Neighbourhood Support.
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