Numbers up: Andrew King, Matthew Sun and Neighbourhood Watch’s Rhonda Rotherham show the new texting service number.
By Cherie Donnellan
AN AUSTRALIAN-first texting service will keep the region’s residents up to date with neighbourhood crime statistics, according to one of its founders.
Geelong Neighbourhood Watch police liaison officer Senior Constable Andrew King said the free service also provided registered users with information including tips on crime prevention and road closures.
Sen Const King said Geelong piloted the service as a latest initiative to bring Neighbourhood Watch into the “technological era”.
“We launched our Eyewatch Facebook page last month and the texting service was another initiative to modernise the program.”
Sen Const King said the combination of Eyewatch and texting service would help Neighbourhood Watch reach a wider audience.
He praised Geelong’s BCC Group for developing the technology.
Sen Const King said he approached BCC Group to help because of director Matthew Sun’s knowledge of technology and community involvement.
“It was important we found someone who was interested in actively helping the community and Matthew was the perfect fit.”
Mr Sun said he was “excited” to have helped Neighbourhood Watch.
“I like to get involved with community projects, so working with Neighbourhood Watch has been great.”
Mr Sun said he ran a survey finding older respondents were limited users of social media, such as Facebook, but people of all ages had mobile phones.
BCC Group designed the service to be simple and easy to use, Mr Sun said.
Users could text NHW Reg to 0409 129 988 for “instant registration”.
“The service is completely anonymous and you’ll only receive texts from Neighbourhood Watch,” Mr Sun said.
